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V THE LAST 



OF THE 



HOUSE OF JEFFREYS ; 



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By LE^V^. M. MILLER. 



Mt. CLEMENS, MICH.: 
PEESS BOOK AND JOB PRINT. 

1878. 



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X 



V- 



IHE LAST 



OF THE 



HOUSE OF JEFFREYS; 



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By LE"V\^. M. MILLER. 



Mt. CLEMKNS, MICH. : 

PRESS BOOK AND JOB PBINT, 

1878. 




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DRAMATIS P£IlSONi&. 



SAMUEL JEFFREYS An elderlv gentleman ol' wealth. 

RICHARD JEFFREYS .' His nephew. 

GEORGE HALLIDAY His confidential companion. 

EDWARD JENNISON A young lawyer. 

JACK HOTALING A villain. 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PYMAKER A tramp printer. 

MICHEL O'BLARNEY Keeper of a low groggery. 

POMPEY Jeffreys' colored servant. 

NELLIE HALLIDAY Halliday's daughter. 

MISS ANGELINA WYCKOFF A stylish maiden lady. 

MRS. HOUGH An old housekeeper. 

MRS. O'BLARNEY An apple woman. 



— MODERN. 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1878, 

By LEW. M. MILLER, 

[n the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 



\C T I. 



SCEN K. — J KFFRKYs' room; door at back leading to main part of house; 
door L. H. leidinj to hall; writing desk r. h., safe and table imth call- 
bell L. H. Jeffreys seated right of table and Halliday left. 

Hall. What are you thinking about so intently, Mr. Jeffreys? — 
you seem troubled this morning. 

Jeff'. Yes, I am troubled — I have be.-n recalling the past. 

Hall. And does the recollection of the past bring you naught but 
sorrow ? - 

Jeff. Naught but sorrow. 

Hall. It is not so with me. I dearly love to recall the happy scenes 
of my early life. To me they are like pictures, but far more fascin- 
ating than those master-pieces which adorn the walls of wealth and 
luxury. 

Jeff. You are very enthusiastic, Halliday, and I would to God 
that the same enthusiasm might pervade my breast. But you seem 
to forget the black cloud which has darkened my whole life and still 
(;asts its baneful shadow over every picture — however fair — that 
Memory may paint for me. 

Hall. Can you recall no pleasures unalloyed by your great afflic- 
tion ? 

Jeff. [Rising.] No, no, Halliday, not one. Every retrospective 
view of my life but serves to remind me how that cloud, which shad- 
owed the very dayspring of my existence, has grown blacker and 
denser, until it now threatens to burst in tempest fury on my head . 



2 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

Hall. [Rising. Aside.] 1 must not allow iiim to continue in this 
despondent mood. [Aloud.] But, Afr. Jeffreys, the blacke'' the cloud, 
the brighter is its "silver lining." 

Jeff. [Impatiently.] Yes, yes ; you have told me that again and 
again. It is doubtless true, and will bear repeating an indefinite 
number of times ; but the "silver lining" is turned toward the s!u\ 
and not toward me. 

Hall. Trust in the Almighty. He will yet turn toward you the 
"silver lining" of that threatening cloud. 

Jeff. [Excitedly.] Will the Lord reverse the order of nature for 
my sake? Will he turn the "silver lining" of thai cloud ti way fri»m 
the sun and toward the earth, simply that it may illumine the last 
few hours of a life, which he has allowed to be shadowed so long ? 
Generations have come and gone since that curse fell upon our fam- 
ily, and in eveiy generation has the fated firvit-born fallen beneath 
its withering blight. I have prayed that the curse might be removed 
and that, when my time shall come, I may be permitted to die like 
a Christian and not like a throttled dog But no, no; it cannot be 
removed. [Sinks info chair. 

[Knock heard L ] 

Hall. Compose you self, Mr. Jeflfreys — someone raps. 
Jeff. I presume it is my nephew. If so, you may retire, as 1 wish 
to see him alone. 

Halliday admits Richahd and exit l, 

Jeff Good morning, Richard — what is it you wish ? 

Mich. I have come for some money — I need some very much. 

Jeff. Need some, Richard ? I gave you $500 last week. Have 
you none of it left ? 

Bich. [Aside.] I wonder what's come over the old fool now - he 
never hesitated like this before. [Aloud.] Not a cent of it left and I 
need $200 more. Will you let me have it ? yes or no. 

Jeff I will think of it, Richard. 

Bich. Think of it ! You never stopped to think of it before, 
when I asked you for so trifling a sum. 

Jeff. I cannot let you have that sum, miless you tell me why you 
want it, 

Bich. You have never required this of me before and it is too 
late to begin now. ] will not submit. 

Jeff. [Bising.] Richard, I fear that I have already gi>7cn you too 
much of my money to be squandered. [Richard scowls.] Do not 
scowl upon me, Richard. I use plain language, but the case demands 
it. I implore you to hear the truth ajjd be warned in time. Unless 
you reform your ways, you will soon be a disgrace to that family, 
whose only hope of honor and existence lies in you. 

Rich. I did not come here to be insulted nor to hear a sermon. 
Will you give me the money ? 



THE LAST OF TJIE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 3 

Jeff. I cannot, Richard, though it grieves me to say so. 

Mich. Then I have no further business with you at present. [As 
Richard retires, Jeffreys sinks into chair. Kichard turiis and 
scowls at his uncle. Aside.1 Curses on liis miserly soul — but I'll find 
a way to make liiui disgorge. [Exit l. 

Jeff. His conduct cuts nic to the heart. Ife resists all counsel, all 
warning, all eiureaty. It seem- as if every evil trait, which disfig. 
ured tae character of old Benjamin Jeflreys, were fated to re-appear 
in him. And when I think tint the very fate of our house depends 
upon him, it almost crazes me. One branch (.f the family becomes 
extinct in me, but Richard might continue the family name, freed 
Jiom that curse which has blighted the lineal descent. 

Enter Halliday. 

Hall. It is a lovely morniiig, Mr. Jeffreys —would you like to take 
a drive? 

Jeff, Nothing could 1 lease ine nu)re. [Rings hell. 

Enter PoMPEY L. 

Pomp. Did wun vd) you respected gemlums manipulate dat ar bell? 

Jeff'. Yes, Pompey, 1 summoned you. Go and tcli James to drive 
the carriage around to the front door. 

Pomp. Yes, sah. [E.xit L. 

Jeff llallitiay, 1 have revealed more of myself to you this morn- 
ing, than I have before in all the ten years we have lived so intimate- 
ly together. But, of late, I have felt more and more in need of a 
confidant. I could not turn tj Richard, so I have tiu-ned to you. 

Hall. An I I will inviolably keep any confidence you may repose 
in me. 

Jeff'. Pless you for that, Halliday. 

Hall. I am so deeply indebted to you that it would be the basest 
perfidy in me to d > otherwise. You found me financially ruined at 
too late a period in life to start anew, and you offered my daughter 
and myself a home. How can 1 ever repay you? 

Jeff. You have been an^ply repaying me all this time by your 
companionship. All accounts between us are balanced. 

Enter Pompey l 

Pomp. De carrige am ready, sah. 

Jeff. Well, Pompey, go and tell Mrs. Hough that I am going out 
and I want ray room swept while I am gone. 

Pomp. Yes, sah. [Exit l,. 

Jeff. Now, Halliday, never let me hear you say anything more 
about repayment. It is I, who am indebted to you, for your kind- 
ness and forbearance. [Exeunt l. 

[Enter l!i EhLiE, followed by Mrs. Hough carrying broom, dust-pan 
and brush, c. E. 



4, THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

Net. Now we'll give Mr. Jeflreys' room a good cleaning. 

[Mrs. Hough sweeps and 'Selt.I'E re-arranges furniture^&cl 

Mrs. H. I do wonder how on arth Mr. Jeffreys manages to litter 
up his room so. [Stveeps around desk.l If I kep' my part ot the h..,iise 
a lookin' ;^o, I'd be 'shamed to see cumpny, so I would, an' I'd be 
discharged in a minnit, [liings bell. Enter Pompey.J Fompey, 
come an' help me move this desk, 

[They move desk and Pompey sets it down on his toe, yells, jumps back 
against Mrs. Hough, ivho hits him with broom. 

Nel. Do be quiet, Pompey. 

Pomp. Be quiet wid a two-ton desk on my corns ? [Holding up 
foot.'] Corns grows mighty big an' tender in tight boots like dat. 

Mrs. H. Why don't he have this room swep' out off"'ner ? [ISweeps 
around safe.] Here, Pompey, move this safe. 

Pomp. [Pushing against safe with head and hands.] No go, Mi^sis 
Hough — can't budge it. 

Mrs. H. Never mind then. Jest about twice a week Mr. Jeffreys 
sends for me to sweep out his room, an' tliem's the only times I sees 
the inside of it. 

Nel. Mr. Jeffreys doesn't like to have women in his room much. 

Pomp. [Aside.] Golly f I'd like to hab my room full ob 'em. 

Mrs. H. Pompey, come here an' hold this dust pan. I do declare, 
I never got sich a heep o' dirt out o' one room afore in all my life. 
[Gives broom a spiteful push, throwing dust into PoMPEY'syixce. Pom- 
pey makes up face and blows nose.] It makes me 'shamed, so it does. 
My old mother used to say that a good house-keeper's broom never 
caught much dirt. [Throws more dust into Pompky's /ace. 

Pomp. [Blowing nose.] Den dis niggah's nose ain't a good house- 
keepah's broom, fur it cotched a heep o' dirt dat time. 

Mrs. H. [Pointing to pan.] Look a' that, will ye — I've a good 
mind to hav Pompey take it out in the wheel barrow. 

Nel. [Laughing.] Don't, Mrs. Hough — the wheel would leave 
more dirt than the barrow would carry out. 

(Pompey carries dust-pan out c. e. and returns.) 

Mrs H. [Dusting.) Well, Mr. Jeffreys ought to hav a better opin- 
ion of us women, anyhow — smart a man as he is. How'd the world 
git along 'thout us women, I'd like to know? 

Nel. I give it up. Perhaps the men wouldn't have so much to 
quarrel about, though. 

Mrs. H. They'd quarrel a big sight more — they'd soon be a pack 
o' howlin' an' ravin' wild beasts, if it wasn't fur the humanizin' in- 
fluence of us women. 

Pomp. {Aside.'^ Wonder how many she's humanized. 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSK OF JEFFREYS. O 

[V( urEY goes behi7id Mks. Hough and gesticulates comically, while 
she puts arms akimbo and continues. 

Mrs. H. Didn't the Lord make Eve for Adam right off, 'cause He 
knew it wouldn't a been two weeks afore Adani'd a been a roarin' 
an' ravin' an' tearin' round Eden, a killin' an' destroyin' everything 
like a savage lion ? ihe l^ord knew best, an' so men an' women'd 
ought to go together through this world. Them's my sentiments! 

Pomp. [With great delight.] Selah ! 

3Irs. II. [Driving him out L. with broom.] Sass me agin, will ye. 
*• i\W. Well, Mrs. Hough, when Mr, Jeffreys returns, he'll own* at 
once that much of man's happiness in this world is due to woman's 
gentler influence. 

Mrs. H. If he don't hav \\U room swep' out off'ner'n twi( e a week, 
it'll take something stronger'n ''vvoman'.s gentler influence" to start 
the dirt. 

Nel. You may go now, Mrs. Hough. [Exit Mrs. HouaH, c. p:., 
with broom, and dust-brush.'] I know Mr. Jeffreys will like this. [Look- 
ing about.] His life is a sad one and 1 will do what little I can to 
brighten it. What else can I do for him here? Oh, yes! I'll take 
that pitcher out ami have Mrs. Hough wash it. [Exit c. E. singing. 

Enter Richard l. e. 

Rich. [Looking about.] I am sure I heard Nellie singing in here, 
and yet I do not see her. She must have stepped out just as I came 
in. What a lovely creature she is ! I'm bound to hive her, though 
she does n't seem to take to me very fondly. Love her ? As well 
as I can love any womiii. I look upon woinsn only as the play- 
things of this life, not a-! its serio is concf^ru^. When they are worn 
and faded, cast them oiF and get new one-< Now, Nellie is young, 
handsome and talented, and she'll make a magnificent mistress for 
this old mansion, when it is mine— and it soon will be, together with 
the accumulated wealth of the House of Jeffreys. How I long to 
get my hands upon it. [Nellik sings outside.] But I hear Nellie 
singing. She must be coming back. Now, Richard Jeflreys, be a 
model lover — all smiles and honeyed words. [Enter Nellie c. e., 
with pitcher.] Good morning, Nellie. 

Nel. [Starting, but recovering herself and setting down pitcher.] Good 
morning, Mr. Jeffreys. 

Rich. What have you been doing to make you look so bright this 
morning? 

Nel. Simply trying to make your uncle's room look a little more 
cosy. 

Rich. Ah ! then it is the kindness of your heart that I see reflect- 
ed in your face. 

Nel. [Coolly.] I was not aware, Mr. Jeffreys, that my face present- 
ed any unusual appearance, this morning. 

Rich. You always look pretty, Nellie, but I thought you were 
looking unusually handsome this morning. But why do you call me 



6 THK J^AST OF THE HOI SE OF JE1''FHK VS. 

"Mr. Jeftrevs/' Nellie?— il used to be "Hichanl," or "Dick," tiiitil 
recently. 

^e/. As long as we were children together, ami before you per- 
sisted in forcing your professions of love upon me, I caled you by 
those names, but now 1 prefer to address yi-u as "Jir. Jeffreys." 

Jiich. And is there no h >pe for me, Nellie ? 

Nel. None whatever. 

Rich. And musr I give you up? [Kneeling.] I swear that I love 
you devotedly — as I never can love another — with a>; pure an affec- 
tion as man ever bore to woman. Then why so cold ? I am ruined 
it" you drive me to despair. 

Nel. Arise, Richard Jeffreys ^y our pleadijig is in vain. 1 have 
given you my answer already. 

Iii.rh. Hear ine once more, Nellie. We have played together as 
little children — we have grown into womanhood and manhood to- 
gether. Just so has my lf)ve grown from a childish affection to a 
manly passion. 1 know not how to live without you. 

Nel. Cease your pitiful teasing. [Richard springs to his feet.] Lo 
not lower your manhood by indulging in it longer. Change your 
ways, Richard Jeffreys, before you exp.^jt any pure woman to ac- 
cept your love. 

Rich. Woman ! I know t!ie secret of all this. You prefer the love 
of Edward Jennison, who is not worth a picayiuie, but who hopes to 
win you and induce my uncle to leave you .soir.e of his vast wealth. 

Nel. It IS cowardly to speak thus of a man who is not present to 
defend hinisell. I will noi hear vou. Leave this room instantly or 
I will. 

Rich. I go, but tlu-- is not the last, Miss Halhdav. [Exit l. 

Nel What have I d )ne ? What have 1 said ? (>h ! I have been 
80 tormented I y his continued professions of love, that 1 spoke be- 
fore I thought. 1 cannot accept him a« a lover, yet I feai him as 
:.n enemy What shall 1 do? [Sinks into chair. 

■ Enter PoiPKY L,, Kflinifting JexnisON. 

Pomp. Mr. Jeffreys am not heah jis now, but jis you took a chah, 
Mr. Jennison, an' wait till he comes back. 

Jen. I will do so, I'ompey. [Seeing Nellie.] Why, Nellie, you 
here? 

Pomp. [Aside.] Gness he don' care if Mr. Jeffreys don' come back 
'fore suppah time. ' [Exit. 

Nel. Oh, Edward ! 1 am so glad to see you. 

Jew. Are yon, pet? [Ki.^sesher.] How long have yu been keeping 
office for Mr. .Jeffreys ? 

Nel. Oil, Mrs. Hough and I have been cleaning up Mr. .Jeffreys' 
room. Doesn't it look nice? 

Jen. It does l)ut you're the only nice thing I can see just at pres- 
ent, Nellie. 

Nel. Come. sir. ixo ff.ttterv. 



TFK l.AST OF THK HOUSP: OF JEFFREYS. / 

Jen. Well, Nellie, 1 iiave some good news for you. 

Nel. What is it ? — I'm all curiosity. 

Jen. Your father has given his consent. 

Nel. To what, Kdward? 

Jen. To our marriage. Now isn't that good news ? 

Nel. I don't know. That depends upon how well you'll "love, 
honor and obey'^ me. 

Jen. Oh, you little humbug, we'll be married by a Justice of the 
Peace and ^kip all that nonsense. Hut when shall it be, Nellie? 

Nel. Don't ask me now, Edward. \ cannot leave here >et. Mr. 
•leffreys wouldn't have snyone to manage his household, if I left. 
But when did you see father? 

Jen. Yesterday. Now I shall be jealous of Mr. Jeffreys, if you 
keep nie waiting long on his account — you know he is a bachelor. 

Net. Yes — an<l a rich one, too. 

Jen. N vv I am jealous. 

Nel. Hark I 1 hear them coming in the hall. You sit down and 
I'll run out. [^Exit C. e., .] vi'S^i&O'S following her to door. 

Enter Jeffreys and Halliday l. 

Jeff. Why, good morning, Mr. Jennison — have you waited long? 
I am sorry I was not in. 

Jen. I iiave not waited long. Mr. .lettVeys Good morning, Mr. 
Halliday. 

Hal. Good morning. 

Jeff. Ee seated, please. \_They sit.'] Have you any business with 
me, Mr. Jennison ? 

Jen. T have called to ask for your subscription to the new bridge. 

Jeff You shall have it — $100, I believe. yGoestodesk and fills out 
check.] Is the bridge well under way? 

Jen. Yes, and it will be a tine one. 

Jeff. I'll drive around and see it soon. [Giving check,] There's 
my check. 

'jen. [Rising.] Thank you. Good morning, gentlemen. 

Jeff. Good morning. 

Hal. Good morning. [E'xiV Jennison.] There goes a specimen of 
true manhood, Mr. Jeffreys. 

Jeff. Yes — would to God that my nephew were like him. He has 
been Availing on Nellie of late, hasn't he? 

Hal. He has, and yesterday he asked my consent to their future 
marriage. 

Jeff. You gave it, of course. 

Hal. Certainly. 

Jeff. There was a time when I thought of such a union between 
Nellie and Richard. But that is impossible now — there can be no 
union of Virtue and Vice. Halliday, I have been deeply interest 
ed in Nellie tor some time. I have watched he.- develop from girl- 
hood into womanhood, unfolding new charms every day. Though 
I have avoided her, as I have avoided all women for many years, 



8 THK J. AST OF TllK HOISK OF JEFFJKKVS, 

yet T conld not wholly i,s:nore lur. She reminds me of another 
maiJen, whom I loved years ago— hut yon look surprised, Ilalliday, 
—you little thought 1 ever took more than a passing interes, in any 
woman. 

Hal. You are right — 1 little thoii'^ht so. 

Jeff, in early manhood I determined to live a single Jile, that I 
-night put an end to that awfnl curse which rests upon our house. I 
afterward met a lovely girl. I loved her with all the ardor of im- 
passioned manhood. Slie returned my love. In my delirium of 
joy 1 forgot my terrihle fate, until one day it flashed acro-s my 
mind and sent me shrieking from her sight. 1 have never seen her 
since. [Clasps hand-i heseechingly.^ Oh! Helen, Helen Partington — 

Hal. [Springing «p ] Helen Partington, did you say? 

Jeff. Yes, did you know her? 

Hal. Helen Partington of Ashville ? 

Jeff. The same — what was she to von ? 

Hal. She was my wife. 

Jeff. [Springing up-l Your wire ? 

Hal. Yes. ' 

Jeff. And the n)other of Nellie Halliday ? 

Hal. The mother of my daughter. 

[They look at each <Jh€r in nnUe asfonishment.] 

Jeff. I can scarcely comprehend it — and yet 1 might have known 
it, for Nellie resembles her mother so closely. [Hesumirtg his seat.'] 
But, come, Halliday, tell me all about it. 

Hal. [Taking a seat nearer Jeffiieys.] 1 came lo Ashville — it 
must have been some time ailir you left — and formed the acquaint- 
ance of Helen's parents. They became very much attached to me 
and, befon^ long, I wa« a frequent visitor at their house. I was at 
that time aboiu forty years of age, and had determined to quit my 
roving way of life and settle down. Helen's beauty and sweet dis- 
position attracted me and I asked her to be my wife. She consent- 
ed — in compliance with the urgent request of her parents, as I after- 
ward learned— and we were married. But some great grief had 
broken her heart — 

Jeff. May God forgive me! 

JIal. And she gradually faded, until, scarcely two years after our 
marriage, she was boine to her grave. Bnt she lelt me another 
Helen — my darling Nellie — and 1 would that, when I am taken 
awav, I might leave her more safelv insured against the perils of 
this'life. 

Jeff. Fear not, Halliday — she shall be provided for. The daught- 
er of Helen Partington shall never want, if I can p'-event it. 

Hal. Bnt, Mr. Jeffreys, we are no fortune hunters — 

Jeff. Say no more, Halliday — my resolution is taken. Naught 
can shnke it. I have long known that Richard is not a lit person to 
control my property after T am gone, and the thought of making 
some other disposition of that property is not a new one to me. 



T : E LAST OF THK HOl'SE OF JEFFKEYfi. 9 

[ Richard opens c. e. as if to enter, but, hearing the next sentence, stops 
and Hastens.] I sliall make my will thi;? afternoon. 

Rich. [Aside.] His will? I must learn its contents, (to on, un- 
cle — I'm all attei.tioi>. 

Jeff. I shall give the bulk ol" my property to Nellie, leaving Ricn- 
ard only $10,000. That is enough for him, if he uses it properly, 
and too much, if he squanders it. The contents of the will shall re- 
niain a secret between us two, until I am gone 

Rich. [Aside.] That's a lie. [Exit. 

Hal. 1 shall consider the secret a sacred trust. 

Jeff. But, Halliday, 1 want to see Nellie — see her now. Bid her 
come hither. [Halliday rings bell. 

Enter Pompey l. 

Pomp. l.)id you ring, sah ? 

Hal. Do you know where Miss Nellie is '■ 

Pomp I seed her in de kitchnm 'bout fifteen n.innits ago, an' she 
was a gibiti' de ole housekeepah de ordahs fur dinnah. Glory ! 
didn't it sound salubrious in dis niggah's eahs to heah her enumer- 
ate de multinumerous kinds ob hash — 

Hal. That will do, Pompey. Go and tell Miss Nellie that Mr. 
Jeffreys would like to see her. [Exit Pompey. 

Jeff. Ten long and weary years in the same house with my Helen's 
(diild, and J did not mistrust the relationship ! How strange it all 
seems ! Truth is indeed stranger than fiction ! 

Enter Pompky L. 

Pomp. She'll be heah iraraejiously. [Sees her.] Oh, heah she am 
now. 

Enter Nellie l. 

Nel. Did you send for me, Mr. Jeffreys? 

[Jeffreys looks at her intently, but does not reply. She j's startled at 
im strange appearance, but is re-assured by a sign from her father, who 
rises. Pompey goes around behind Nellie, looking at her admir- 
ingly. 

Pomp. Ain't she pooty ? If she was only sixteen shades blacker, 
she'd be as lubly as Wenus, an' I'd ax her to be Mrs. Pompey Caesar 
Augustus George Washington Browne — I would. 

[Jeffreys rises and approaches Nellie slowly, as if fearful of fright- 
ening away some pleasing object. She is again re-assured by her fa- 
ther. Pompey sees the strange appearajnce of Jeffreys and runs 
out. 

Jeff. [Slowly approaching.] My Helen — my own Helen ? Or is it 
but a cruel v-ision .sent to torment me ? [Touching her forehead.] Yes, 



10 THK LAST OF THK H<)l>;K <»F .IKFFREYS. 

'lis 8lie — 'tis Helen Partington ! — this is her forehead, her <^hin — 
these are lier eyes, her lips. My Helen has come to me again— yet 
slie cannot sta_ — no, no ! — she nnist sooi. return — no other an£;el 
could fill her place amid the Heavenly Hosts, [Overcome by feelings 
and trembling violently, Halliday wheels up a chair and helps him 
into it. After a momenfs silence Jeffkeys appears to notice Nellie 
for the first time.^ Nellie, come here. [She approaches and he takes her 
hands.^ I have been living in the past. Your striking resemblance 
to your mother reminds me of her. 

Nel. You knew her, then ? 

Jeff. I loved her, Nellie, yet I wron.ed her. 1 won iier love and 
then abandoned her. Can you forgive me for so wronging her ? 

Nel. I know that she would forgive you, if she were here — and, 
surely, I can forgive you 

Jeff. Bless you, Nellie — you have your mothei's own kind heait. 
Your father will explain all, when I am gone. 

Hal. I fear that she will grow very impatient, if she waits until 
then, Mr. Jeffreys, 

Jeff. No, no ; it will not be long — I feel that the end is near, [Bis- 
ing.^ Nellie, receive the blessing of an old man, who has been 
crushed to earth for the sins of another, [She kneels.] God bless you, 
Nellie, May the future ever brighten before you, 

TABLEA V, 



END OF ACT 1. 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 11 



ACT IT 



SCENK I. — Open space in the -woods ; a log l. h. and tt rock R. H. — 
Early evening. 

Enter Pymaker l., shabbily dressed and with one coat-tail tora ojff. 

i y. [Singing.] "Tramp, tramp, tram|), the boys are marching," 
Well, let 'em march -I'll go no farther. Here I'll rest. This lux 
uriant grass shall be my couch, and 

"The spacious firmament on higii, 

With all the 1 lue, ethereal sky," 
shiU be my bed-quilt. But I'll have my supper, ere 1 ''wrap the 
drapery of my couch about me and lie down to pleasant dreams." 
[Feels for eatables and misses one iail of his coat.] lia-ha-ha ! ''There- 
by hangs a tale," Yea, verily ; "I could a tale Uiifold" in reference 
to that "bloody chasm." Jupiter! but it was a narrow escape. The 
bull-dog didn't get me, but he sampled my coat-tail, as I sped through 
the gate. [Finds a bone in pocket of the other tail.} Ha I a streak of 
kick I the savage bull-pup didn't get this tail. Here are the remains 
of my dinner. Now tor the banquet. [Sitidown on log.] Let me see 
if I've got a knife. [Feels in pocket and takes out a spoon.] A spoon ! 
solid silver, too! VVhat are these initials? — "J. G. W." — oh ! that 
reminds me. Miss Angelina WyckofF's cook gave me a lunch in the 
kitchen, the other day, and I was just getting ready to give my 
stomach a grand surprise party, when in came Miss Angelina — the 
angelic creature — and hustled me out doors in a jiffv. So I took 
the spoon in lieu of the lunch. [Lays spoon in hi^ lap and searches 
for knife.] No knife? Well, I'll use ray composing; rule — 'twon't be 
the first time. [Picks bone.] I ran across the village marshal Jo-day. 
He was going to arrest me as a vagrant with no "visible means of 
support.^' I showed him my composing rule and told him I was a 
first-class printer and "belonged to the llnion." Then he ivas mad. 
He thought I was going to start a new paper in town, and he kicked 
me clear out of the corporation, advising me never to set foot in it 
again. I think I shall take his advice, [Throivs away bone.] There, 
I feel better. Now I'll take a smoke before I retire. [Fills an old 
clay pipe, lights it, takes a few whiffs and starts up, dropping spoon.] 
What's that ? [Looking toward l. h. and listening. 

"Is't but the wind, 

Or the car rattling o'er the stony street?" 
No, it's some one coming — I'll not wait to see whether he has the 
countersign. [Gets behind rock. 

Enter Hotaling l. h. 



12 THE LAST F THE HOUSE OF .lEFFREYS. 

Hot [Looking around.} He's not here yet. Well, I'll wait, but 
if he fails me he'll rue it. [Sits down on log ] What'? that ? [J'irk:^ 
up spoon.] A spoon ? Wonder how it came here — lost hy some pic- 
nic party, I presume. I'll stow it away for future inspection. [Pntu 
it into pocket.] There, I'm a spoon ahead. 

Py. [Peering cmdiously.] And I'm a spoon behind. 

Hot. It's getting dark and Jeffreys ought to he here by this tnne. 
Curse the fool ! how long must I wait for him ? [Ihkes out flask and 
drinks. 

Py. Ha ! he drinks ! That's one bond of sympathy between us. 
[HoTALiNG takes out a plug of tobacco and bites off a piece.] He chews! 
— bond of sympathy No. 2. He must be a brother printer. 

Hot. [Seeing Richard coming i.. Hising.] Hello! Jeffreys, yon 
are rather late. 

Py. [Crouching loiv.] There's a pair of 'em. I'll vegetate here in 
the shade — it's so refreshing. 

Enter Richard. 

Mich. Yes, somowhat late — I've been detained. Have vou waited 
long ? 

Hot. Long? That's cool. I began to tliink you were going to 
fail me. If you had — 

Mich, Make no threats, Hotaling. I'm not easily frightened, as 
you well know. 

Hot. [Surlily.] Well, have vou brought the monev ? 

Mich. No. ' ■ 

Hot. What! would you play me false? Richard Jeffreys, I'll 
not be trifled with. [Draws knife. 

Mich. [Drawing revolver.] Be calm. Jack. I'm not afraid of your 
knife when my little pet is near. She never failed me yet. .She 
speaks but one word, and that word is "DEATH." ^[Aiming it. 

Py. Oh, Lord ! I wish I was out of this. 

Hot. [Starting back in fear, but recovering composure in a moment. 2 
I forgot myself, Jeffreys. We must not qua,rrel — we know each oth- 
er too well to be enemies. [They put up weapons. 

Mich. You're rational now. 

Py. The storm is o'er— fair weather again. 
. ifo^. But why is the money not forthcoming ? It's an honest debt 
you owe me, and you promised to settle it this evening. 

Mich. An honest debt ? Ha-ha-ha-a-a-a ! that's too good I Real- 
ly, Hotaling, you're quite a joker. Ha-ha- a-a — 

Hot. [Nettled.] What do you mean ? 

Mich. Mean ? — that you cheated like a thief, when you won that 
money. Is my meaning plain now ? 

Hot. Do you mean to insult me ? 

Py. Another typhoon ! 

Mich. Restrain yourself. My little pet is uneasy in her close 
quarters. [Putting hand on revolver pocket. 

Hot. Do you intend to "squeal" now ? 



T E LAST OF THE HOUSE OF ,1EFFREYS. 13 

Mich. No, I intend to pay the debt like a gentleman. 

Py. Blue sky once more, 

Hot. Tlien why in h — 1 did'nt you bring the money ? You know 
I want to leave this vicinity as soon as possible — it's getting loo hot 
for me here. 

Ric/i. Really I AVhal part of the country is going to be favored 
with your valuable presence? 

Hot. That's none of your d — n business. 

Rich. Well, sii down 0:1 this log aiul I'll explain. [They sit.] 1 
couldn't raise that sum. 1 asked my uncle for the money and he 
preached me a sermon instead of shelling out — curse the old fool ! 

Hot. VVell, how does that help my case? I must have the money, 
for I've got to leavn here at once. 

Py. Bond of sympathy So. o. Villain No. 1 has got to 'skin 
out" and so have 1. 

Rich. [After a momenfs rejiection.] How much longer could \ ou 
stay hereabouts for an adequate consideration ? 

Hot. Consideration ? What consideration can you give me for 
running that risk, if you can't raise enough to pay me what yon 
owe mc already ? 

Rich. I might find you a job, if you would accept. 

Hot. Accept? Did you ever know me to refuse any job thai of- 
fered good inducements? Besides, I am desperate now and I must 
have money. So out with it ! 

Rich. [Drawing closer toHoTAEiNG.] If it wasn't for my uncle, 1 
might have money enough to settle all my debts and live like a gen- 
tleman. 

Py. [Trying to hear.'] A little louder, Villain No. 2. 

Hot. [Thoughtfully.] Ah !- um— I "twig," A sudden death and 
a convenient funeral would afford great relief to your embarrassed 
linances. 

Rich. Just so. 

Hot. Risky business. 

Rich. Good pay. 

Hot. How mu2h ? 

Rick $1,000. 

Hot. Bah ! a mere bagatelle. 

Ricn. $2,000— besides the $200 1 owe vou now. 

Py. [In an agony of curiosity.] Do speak a little louder. 

Hot. [Thoughtfully,] $2,200— nice little sum to emigrate with— 
agreed ! Wliat's your plan of operations ? 

Rich. Can you play the part of a devil ? 

Hot. [Laughing.] I've played the devil in the community ever 
since 1 left my swaddling clothes. Yes, I think I could— but do you 
want me to scare the old fool to death ? 

Rich. Not exactly. My uncle is tlie victim of a strange delusion— 

Hot. Yes, I've heard of it — he thinks the devil is coming after 
him some night. 

Rich. He believes that a remote ancestor of his, named Benjamin 



14 THE LAST or THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

Jeffreys, once entered into n solemn compact with the devil, the for- 
feit of which was to be the iirst-boni of every succeeding generation. 
Old Benjamin, who was never known to keep faith with his fellow 
man, played one of his customary tricks <>n the devil — 

Hot. And the devil foreclosed. 

Bich. Exactlv. Now, my uncle declares that i)is father, his grand- 
father and his great-grandfather all died mysteriously, when no one 
was near to observe the cause or manner of iheir deatli, but in every 
case the evidence was plain of death by strangulation. He is ever 
on the look-out for the devil, and whenever that interesting peison- 
age puts in an appearance, my uncle will undoubtedly resign him- 
self to his fate. You understand ? 

Hot. Yes; you want me to be that "interesting ],)ersonage." 

Rich. My uncle has never married and his death, as he declares, 
will rid the family of that horrid curse — 

Hot. And you of the curse of poverty. 

Rich. I admire your astuteness. 

Py. [Moving uneasily.] This seat might be softer. 

Hot. And this awful curse does not affect the collateral branch of 
the family ? 

Rich. No. 



Hot. You think that's lucky for you, don't yon? 

Rich. Yes, rather. 

Hot. But that doesn't trouble the devil much. 

Rich. Why so ? 

Hot. Oh, he's sure of the collateral branch. 

Rich. [Starting lip and putting hand on revolver.'] Do you dare — 

Hot. Be calm, Jeffreys. Neither one of us must die until this 
awful curse is removed from the House of Jeffreys, you know. 

Py. This play might be highly entertaining, if I could only hear 
it. 

Rich. [Sifting down again.] My uncle's regular attendant, who haa 
slept in the same room with him for several years, will be away to- 
morrow night. No one will be with him except his colored servant, 
who is an arrant coward and he will be so badly frightened at the 
appearance of the devil, that he will be easily managed. But you 
had beiier take your trusiy knife along as a matter of precaution. 

Hot. That all sounds very fine — but what if anything should hap- 
pen ? I'd make a preity looking corpse dressed up in that kind of 
toggery, now wouldn't I? My own mother wouldn't know me — and 
then, just imagine what a figure I'd cut in the Police Gazette — ahem ! 
— "Jack Hotaiing as he appeared in the role of the Devil — One 
Night Only!!" 

Rich. But nothing will happen — I'll see that there is no interrup- 
tion. But one thing more. In the «afe that stands in my nucleus 
office is his will. I will teach you the combination. Open the safe, 
find the will, lock the safe carefully behind you and bring me that 
will. 

Hot. Oh, ho ! that's another thing altogether. If I bring you 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OP JEFFREYS. 15 

that will, you ought to make the conside.-ation a clean $2,500. 

Jlich. I will. We understand each other now? 

Hot Perfectly. 

Bich. [Rising.] Then good night — I'll aee you again. [Exit l. 

Py Now I'll get a chance to stretch my legs. 

Hot. [Rising.] Jack Hotaling, you're in luck ! $2,500 to begin 
operations with in the Black Hills — all for choking off an old man 
who expects the devil after him soon, anyway. [Exit l. 

P«/. [Coming out cautiously.] "Now is the winter of our discontent 
made glorious summer." Those two villains are up to some mis- 
chief, I know, but my information is altogether too limited to war- 
rant me in risking my precious person back in the village to inter- 
fere with their plans. Nor do I think so much of this spot lor a 
bed-room, after all. I'll meander. Hello ! there's the moon. 

[Exit R . singing. 
The silvery moon, with her kerosene lamp, 
Illumines the patn of the weary tramp. 



SCENE 11.—^ street. 
Enter Richard r., walking rapidly. 

Rich. I must hasten — the time is short and many things must be 
carefully arranged before to-night. [Enter Jemnison l. They meet. 
RiCHAKH stops and scowls.] Edward Jennison, you are in my way. 

Jen. Do you speak literally or figuratively, Mr. Jeffreys? If lit- 
erally, just step to the right. I will do the same and then we can 
pass without a collision. If you speak figurativelv, explain your- 
self. 

Rich. None of your lawyer's quibbles here, sir. You are in my 
way. 

Jen. When I am convinced (hat I have trespassed on your rights 
or privileges, I am willing to withdraw— but not before. 

Rich. I have a faculty of clearing my way before me. 

Jen. The best way of clearing your pathway of my presence is to 
be civil and convince me that J am wrongfully in it. Until you can 
do so, I decline to yield in any way, sir. Good morning. [Crosses. 

Rich. You love Nellie Halliday. 

Jen. And if I do, I have no apology to make to you, sir. 

Rich. 1 ask no apology. I simply wished to warn you not to cross 
my path again. Do you understand ? 

Jen. Whenever Nellie Halliday shall have chosen you, in prefer- 
ence to me, then will your pathway be relieved of ray presence. 

Rich. Meanwhile, it will be we.l for you not to darken my house 
with your presence. 

Jen. Your house ? I was not aware that you owned any. Have 
you purchased one recently, in view of a possible marriage with 



16 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

Miss Hallidny ? 

Bick [Aside.] Curse him for his impudence ! [Aloud.] I meant 
my uncle's house, of course. 

Jen. Well, what right have you to forbid my entering your uncle's 
house ? 

Bich. I may have a right sooner than you expect. 

Jen. When you have such right, I will ask your consent to call. 
Until then, adieu. [Exit R. 

Bich. Curse him for his impudence and obstinacy ! I may have 
to give Hotaling another job. But here comes Miss Wyckotf. I'll 
await her. [Enter Miss Wyckoff.] Good morning, Miss WyckofF. 

Miss W. Good morning;, Mr. Jeffreys. 

Bich. You are out shopping rather early this morning. 

Miss W. Rather early, perhaps — but I had several errands to do, 
so I told John to get out the carriage and drive me down. 

Bich. Where is your carriage now ? 

Miss W. Just around the corner, waiting while I step into my 
milliner's. 

Bich. Well, I'll not detain you long. How is your suit progreis- 
ing with Mr. Jennison ? 

Miss W. Oh, finely ! He thinks 1 have a sure case and he will 
notice it for trial at the next term. Mr. Jciunison is a smart lawyer. 

Bich. .rennison is a fool I 

Miss W. Well, tliat doesn't seem to hurt him any as a lawyer. 
At any rate he's a shrewd one. 

Bich. Well, Miss WyckofF, I really didn't have any reference to 
your lawsuit, when I asked that question. T meant another kind of 
suit, altogether — one in which Cupid is popularly supposed to be 
the chief mediator. 

3fiss W. What do you mean, sir, by asking me so impertinent a 
question ? 

Bich. Now don't be so indignant about it, Miss Wyckoff. Every 
one knows how hard you are trying to catch the wily lawyer with 
the bait of a good fat lawsuit. 

3Iiss W. This impudence is unbearable, sir. Let me pass. 

Bich. Certainly. [She crosses] But wait a moment. Miss Wyckoff. 
I have something interesting to tell you. [She stops. Aside.] I thought 
her curiosity would overcome her indignation. [Aloud.] Mr. Jen- 
nison is becoming very much interested in Nellie Halliday. 

Miss W. What ! that doll-faced thing ? 

Bich. [Aside.] You can always rely upon a woman's jealousy 
to liberate the feline. [Aloud.] My means of observation are good 
and I give it to you as my candid opinion, that they will soon be 
engaged, if they are not already. 

3Iiss W. I took Mr. Jennison to be a man of sense, 

Bich. It was only a moment since that I remarked that he was 
not. 

Miss W. Does she love him f 

Bich. Unfortunately for me, she does. 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OP JEFFREYS. 17 

Miss W. Ah ! then you are interested, too. 

Bich. I am. [Approaching her.] Now, Miss Wyekofi', since we are 
both in the same foundering boat, it only remains for us to help each 
other out of difficulty, or go down in one loving embrace together. 

Miss W. I prefer the former alternative, sir. 

Rich. So do I — vastly — remarkable unanimity of opinion, isn't it? 

Miss W. Well, no more of this in the street. I must go now. 

Rich. We'll meet again, Miss Wyckoff ? 

Miss W. At another time and place. Good morning. 

Rich. Good morning. [Exit Miss W. R.] If I can only manage 
Nellie, as well as I can that delectable piece of dry goods, all will 
be well. Oh, how I love to play with the dear creatures — manage 
them as I would a set of chess-men. [Exit L. 



SCENE III. — Back room in Jeffreys' house. 

Enter Mrs. Hough and Pompey, l. h., bringing table, with ironing 
board, flat-irons and basket of clothes. 

Mrs. H. I declare — it was so hot in there I couldn't stand it no 
longer. [Sets down table.'] Fetch me a cliair, Pompey. [Exit Pom- 
pey L.] I'll finish my ironin' in here. [Pompey brings in chair, pair 
of muddy boots, blacking and brush. Mrs. Hough arranges board on 
table and chair and Pompey cleans boots.] There, it ain't quite so bil- 
ir' hot in here. 

Pomp. Wh-e-e-e-w ! 

Mrs. H. Hard work, Pompey ? 

Pomp. Ye^— don' see whar Mr. Halliday got all dis clay on dese 
boots. I'se gwine to sabe it an' start a brick-yard. 

Mrs. H. What'd you do with all the bricks ? 

Pomp Sell 'em ob course — any fool'd do dat. Wouldn't you ? 

Mrs. H. Of course you would, Pompey. 

Pomp, Sartain — 'spose I'd carry 'em 'round in my hat — say, ole 
woman ? 

Mrs. H. Old woman, indeed ! What d'ye take me for, you black 
villain ? 

Pomp. Don' take ye fur nuffin — but de man wat took ye fur better 
or worser got de mos' ob de worser, I recken, 

Mrs. H. Take that, you scoundrel. [Throws basket- 

Pomp. [Dodging.] Didn't I tole ye so? [Resuming work.] Dis am 
de mos' obstreperus mud I eber seed on a boot — it's a stiff-necked an' 
rebellyus peeple. 

Mrs. H. When is Mr. Halliday goin', Pompey ? 

Pomp. On de fus train after dinnah. Dare, dem boots am done. 
Mos' broke my back ober 'em, too. [Rises. 

Mrs. H. When will he be back ? 



18 THK LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

Pomp. To-morrer nite, on de las' train. Ye see, he's bin speenid 
as a witness in a lawsuit an' he's got to go. [Stai^ts to go out c. E. 

Mrs. H. Where yon goin'? 

Pomp. Guess I'll hitch up de mule an' cart out my brick -yard. 

Mrs. H. Never mind now. Take this iron out and get me a hot 
one. [Exit Pompey l., with flut-iron.] It'll seem strange to have Mr. 
Halliday stay away all niglit. He hasn't done that afore in all the 
ten years he's bin in this house. I wonder who's goin' to stay with 
Mr. Jefireys to-night. 

Enter Pompey. 

Pmnp. [Spitting on iron.] Golly! how it sizzles. Hot, ain't it? 
[Spits on it again and rubs it off with finger, burning himself.] Oh-h-h- 
oo-oo-ow ! [Dropping iron and dancing around. 

Mrs. H. What on arth's the matter ? 

Pomp. [ Yelling.'] If you want any roas' niggah fur dinnah, jis 
step rite up an' git a slice while it's hot. 

Mrs. H. [Picking up iron.] Who's goin' to stay with Mr. Jeffreys 
to-night? 

Pomp. I is. Gimme a rag. [She gives him one and he winds it on 
fi^nger. 

Mrs. H. You, Pompey ? Why, don't you know Mr. Jeffreys ex- 
pects the Old Nick after him some night ? 

f(W7ip. No-o-o! Gimme a rag. [Same business. 

Mrs H. 'Spose he'd come to-night. 

Pomp. He won't come. 

Mrs. H. What makes you think he won't come? 

Pomp. 'Cause a 'spectable niggah like me don't keep cumpny wid 
debbles, nohow. Gimme a rag. 

Mrs. 11. Why, you black scoundrel, didn't I jest give you a rag? 
Now shut your mouth an' help me carry oat this table. [Puts iron 
on chair. They carry table out L, and return.] Now you take out the 
fiat-iron an' I'll take the board, [Hands him iron. Pompey spits on 
it and she cuffs him.] Take that, now. 

Pwnp. Oh-h-h ! Can't ye stop 'busin' a poor orfun ? Now I ain't 
gwine to carry ont dat iurn — it sizzles too mu(!h. But you jis put 
dat iurn rite back in dat char an' I'll carry de char out. 

Mrs. H, All right. [She does so and exit L. with board. 

Pomp. [Putting boots, blacking and brush into basket and coming 
down front with chair.] Dis niggah don' burn hissef on dat iurn agin. 
[Spits on it.] No, sah ! it sizzles too much. Yah, yah, yah ! Didn't 
T make her bleeve I ain't 'fraid ob de debble ? But I ain't so shure 
'bout dat. Wish I was — but I ain't. [Shaking head.] Dat's wun ob 
de unsartumties ob life. But I'se in fur it now — an' lessee what I'll 
do if he does come. [Scratches head.] Oh, yes! I'll — [Fm-gets himself 
and sits down on iron, yells, jumps up and dances around.] Oh-h, good 
Lord ! how dat sizzles. It raus' a burned clar troo my bes' breeches 
— to say nuffin at all 'bout how much furder. [Picks up chair and 
basket.] Gimme a rag — gimme a hole sheet ! [Exit L. 



THE LAST OF THE HOrSE OF JEFFREYS. 19 

SCENE IV. — Jeffreys' chamber ; bed e.; stand near it ivith lamp ; 
couch L. with pillow and blankets. Jeffkeys discovered in bed lean- 
ing on right elbow. 

Jeff. What is this strange feeling which so oppresses me to-night? 
Is it born of the tveary past, the gloomy present or the awful future? 
Is it but a regret, springing from the many memories of my early 
love, which have recently been so vividly recalled? Is it but a 
loneliness, arising from the absence oi my trusted companion — the 
first in all the years we have passed together? Or is it a foreshad- 
owing of impending evil — a boding, wliich my anxious soul, re- 
strained by its earthy tenement, can but vaguely comprehend ? Can 
it b3 that the awful t'liture is now — even now — pressing close upon 
me ? Yet the thought of it does not terrify me, as once it did. No; 
I have been strangely calm since my interview with Nellie. I feel 
that my Helen, whom I so deeply wronged, lias now forgiven me. 
I saw her in my dreams again, last night, and she no longer looked 
reproachfully upon me, but she smiled — she smiled — and beckoned 
me to join her in that better land. Perhaps I may be permitted to 
do so. I feel a new-born hope — the first that has evtr cheered my 
dreary lot — now strengthening within me. Pc-raaps the Lord has 
not utterly forsaken me. Pompey, bring me my Bible. 

Enter PoMPEY L., with a large Bible. 

Pom,p. Here it am, sah. [Acts nervous and excited. 

Jeff. Open it where the book-mark i*^ and lay it on the stand. [He 
does so and stands quietly by the bedside, while Jeffreys reads aloud 
Psalm xxiii.] Now, Pompey, you may lie down. It is late and I 
wish to be up betimes in the morning. [Lies down. 

Pomp. [Aside.] If he wants to git up so arly, why don' he sit up 
allnite? [Looks all around, turns lamp low, lies down, jumps up and 
snuffs.] Don' I smell brimstone smoke? [Snuffs.] Oh, no; it's wun 
ob dem cats wat carries a 'lumery bottle. 

[Pompey lies down and covers head with blanket. — Stage dark. — A 
thunder storm comes up, graducdly increasing in fury. The clock 
strikes twelve. A vivid Jlash of lightning is followed by a deafening 
crash of thunder. Enter Hotaling, l., disguised as devil, moving 
cautiously toward the bed. Pompey awakes, peeps out from under 
blankets, then rolls off couch in terror, carrying pillow and blankets 
with him and rises up on knees. 

Pomp. Oh, good debble ! I'se only a poor niggah — 
Hot. Silence ! [Making a gesture toward Pompey, who sinks on floor 
in abject terror, snatches up pillow, puts it on his head and holds it down 
to floor. Jeffreys rises in bed and stares at Hotaling in horror.] 
Samuel Jeffreys, I claim the forfeit. [Slowly approaching bed. 



20 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFKEYS. 

Jeff. "My God. my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" 

[Jeffreys sinks hack with a groan. Hotaling springs upon the bed 
and grasps him by the throat. 

TABLEAU. 

END OF ACT II. 



A.CT III. 



SCENE 1.— Jeffreys' office, as in Act I. Richard discovered seat- 
ed near desk. 

Rich. The deed is done, the inquest held and the old man buried. 
I am now the sole owner of the accumulated wealth of the House of 
Jeffreys. Old Halliday was stricken down, as if by a thunder bolt, 
when ho heard the news, and he is now a helpless imbecile. Hot- 
aling must be many miles oway from here, by this time. The im- 
pudent scoundrel found more money in the safe than I offered him, 
so he took that, escaped from the window and fled, carrying the will 
with him, instead of coming back to me. Lucky for him he did. 
How easy it would have been for me to send a bullet through his 
brain, silencing him forever. Then I could have told the startled 
household that I awoke, rushed from my room and met the villain 
in the hall, as he was escaping from my uncle's chamber. But that 
is one of my plans that didn't work. Howe»^er, Hotaling is a prudent 
man and has a quiet tongue. Besides, he wrote me that he would 
destroy that will — so I may consider my plan a decided success. 
Now i will enjoy myself, for I have wealth enough and to spare. 

[A solemn voice is heard behind him. He starts up in fear. Enter 
Halliday, c. e,, wild and haggard in appearance, speaking as he 
comes down front. 

Hal. "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee ; 
then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided ?" 

[R1CHA.RD, in a transport of rage, rushes at Halliday, as if to strike 
him down. 

Rich. Back to your room, driveling idiot, ere I strike you to the 
earth ! 

Enter Nellie c. e., hurriedly. 



THt LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 21 

Nel. Father ! where are you ? [Bushes between them.'] Stand hack, 
Richard Jeffreys ! No one hut a coward would strike an old man. 

Rich. Pardon me, Nellie, but his abrupt entrance and wild words 
startled me from a fit of deep meditation and I turned to meet the 
intruder, before I knew who it was. Strike your iatht^r? I hope 
you will not so misjudge me, Nellie. 

Nel, I am very anxious about my father. I did not know that he 
had left his room until 1 came in just now and found him gone. 
I hope he will not trouble you again. 

Rich. He'll be no trouble to me at all, Nellie. So let him come 
as often as he will into this room, where he has spent so many days 
with my uncle. I shall be happy to have him sit here in remem- 
brance of his kindness to the poor old man, [Aside.l I'd rather see 
him in Tophet, though. [Nellie turns to go out with father.] Let me 
assist you, Nellie. 

Nel. No, thank you. I need no assistance. [Exeunt c. e. 

Rich. 1 nearly Spoiled my chan3es with Nellie that time. I have 
not said anything to her about my love, since the appearance of His 
Satanic Majesty — she has been so much engaged in caring for her 
father and I have had too much delicacy to intrude upon her sorrow. 
But 1 fancy that I have recommended myself as a candidate for her 
favors, by "procuring the most skilful medical advice for her father 
and offering them both a home during his illness, I induced her to 
accept such lavors by telling her I did it all in the name of my un- 
cle. And then, I've reformed, too, ai.d I am meditating the propri- 
ety of turning divinity student and plunging headlong into ortho- 
dox theology — all for'Nellie. I'll have that girl yet — she's the one 
thing needful to complete my happiness. [A gentle rap is heard l.] 
Come in. [Enter Miss Wyckoff.] Oh — ah — excuse me for not op- 
ening the door. I thought it was merely some gentleman on busi- 
ness. 

3Iiss W. [Haughtily.] Make no apologies, sir. / have come on 
business and expect no better treatment than your other business 
callers receive. 

Rich, Don't you? You're modest in your expectations. But be 
seated. [IViey sit] What progress have you made ? 

Miss W. I have finished the letter. I have a large number of 
notes and letters, which Mr. Jennison has sent me, relative to my 
lawsuit and other business matters. So I have been able to pick 
out, one by one, all the peculiarities of his handwiiting. 

Rich. Well, now. Miss Wyckcff, you have a busines^s way about 
you that I admire. What a magnificent forger you are ! 

3Iiss W. Sir! Mr. Jeffreys — 

Rich. That's my name. 

Miss W. Your impudence is past forbearance. 

Rich. Yet you seem to bear it. 

Miss W. [Starting up.] I will not any longer. 

Rich. Yes, you will — you'll finish the business you came for. 

Miss W. [Spitefully.] Not from any love for your company, how- 



22 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

ever. \^Ilesumes seat. 

Rich. But from an ardent desire to be revenged on Nellie Halli- 
day, because her pretty face has won the admiration of Mr. Jenni- 
son. Now don't you think me a very successful mind-reader?^ 

3fiss W. I care nothing for your accomplishments in that direc- 
tion. 

Bich. Ah. indeed ! Well, your desire for revenge overcomes your 
repugnance for me, and we work together for the same purpose. 
It's not the first time thai two hostile forces have fought side by side 
against a common enemy. 

Miss W. Since I am accommodating you quite as much as I am 
gratifying myself, you ought to be a little more civil, if you can be, 

Mich. Wefl, I'll practice a little. Kesume business. 

Miss W. Mr. Jennison writes quite a light hand lor a gentleman 
and I quite a heavy one for a lady. So I have been able to imitate 
his handwriting very successfully. Here is the letter. [Handing it 
to him. 

Rich. [Reading.'] "Dear Sir:— In reference to tne debt I owe 
you, I would say that I shall be amply able to pav it in full, 
after my marriage with Miss WyckofF. Until then 1 ask your for- 
bearance. Yours &c., 

To Richard Jeffreys, Esq. Edward Jennisox." 

Miss Wyckoff, that is a masterly imitation of his handwriting.. 
It would deceive Jennison himself. 

Miss W. Show it to Nellie Halliday. If it deceives her, that it* 
all I ask. 

Rich. I will do so, but we run a great risk, If there is really an 
engagement between them, we may not succeed. [Pats letter in desk. 

Miss W. I tell you there is no engagement — it is impossible — I 
don't believe it. Mr, Jennison is a man of too much sense to tie 
himself to a girl like her. Now they are both as proud as Lucifer, 
and if a doubt once comes between them — 

Enter Pompey l. 

Rich. What now, Pompey ? 

Pomp. De masons am cum fur to fix dat seller wall you want 
mendid an' dey wants to see you. Dey's ready togo to work. [Exit. 

Rich. Excuse me for a moment. Miss Wyckoff. I'll be back di- 
rectly. [Exit L. 

Miss W. [Rising.] It cannot be that they are engaged — it must 
not be. I know that, if it were not for that Nellie Halliday, I could 
bring Mr. Jennison to a proposal at once. I have wealth enough 
for us both, and I want him for the position he can give me. He is 
a rising lawyer and is destined to make his mark in this world. My 
wealth will aid him greatly in his upward course — will open oppor- 
tunities to him, which are almost, if not quite, denied to a poor man 
— such as he would be with Nellie Halliday, who has not a cent in 
the world. 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 23 

Nellie raps c. e. and enters. 

Nel. Oh! excuse me,Miss Wvckoff. I thought M r. Jeffrey s was here 

3nss W. He just stepped out. But come in, Miss Halliday. I 
wish to see you a momeat. [Nellie comes down front.'] Do you love 
Edward Jennison ? 

Nel. \^Confused.'] I-I-I cannot answer that question. 

Miss W. It is sufficiently answered by your manner. Will you 
give liim up ? 

Nel. To you ? 

Miss W. Yes, to me. 

Nel. Mr. Jennison will ask a release personally, when he desires 
one, and not through a second party. 

Miss W. I can give him wealth and influence to assist nim in win- 
ning that position in public life, which he is so well qualified to till. 
But you — you would only be a dead weight to sink him deeper 
and deeper into obscuritv. Think again, Miss Halliday — 
what can you offer such a man as Edward Jennison ? 

Nel. I can offer him a woman's love — an emotion to which your 
stony heart is a total stranger, /can offer hira a woman's encour- 
agement, and that, to him, will a prove a stronger incentive to work 
and win than all the wealth you could lavish upon him. 

Miss W. Woman's fiddlesticks! Have you filled your mind with 
dish-water novel i and sickish love stories, that you talk such non- 
sense to me ? 

Nel. He is too noble to purchase advancement in this world — 
least ol all would he do it with the money of his wife. 

Enter Richard l. 

Rich. Ah ! I see you have had pleasant company during my ab- 
sence, Miss Wyckoff. 

Miss W. Very pleasant, indeed. Miss Halliday is so entertaining. 

Rich. \^AsideJ] I bet the fire flew when they struck. Two women 
after the same man wouldn't be very safe visitors in a powder-mill. 

Miss W. I must bid you both good morning now. 

Nel. Good morning. 

Rich. [Shoiving her o.ut ] Good morning. [Exit Miss W. 

Nel. I must now return to my father, I only stepped in to tell 
you the m.asons had come, as 1 couldn't find Pompey to send to you. 

Rich. 1 have just been out to see them. But wait a moment, Nel- 
lie. 1 wish to speak to you. Since my uncle's death 1 have refrained 
from speaking to you on that subject, which, you know, lies so near 
my heart. But 1 cannot postpone it any longer. 

Nel. I cannot listen to you, Mr. Jeffreys. 

Rich. My love for you is the same, Nellie, but I am a different 
man. My'uncle's sad death and your own words have startled me 
into an awful realization of what my past life has been. It shall be 
such no longer. 

Nel. T will be frank with you, Mr. Jeffreys. It is impossible for 



24 THE LA8T OF THK HOI SE OF JKFFKKVS. 

me to become your wife —I am already betrothed to Mr. Jennisoii. 

Rich. [Aside.] Hell furies! Must I always have that man flung 
into my face? [Aloud.] Mr. Jennison, Nellie ? That cannot be. He 
expects to marry Miss Wyckoff 

Nel. Marry Miss Wyckoff! 

Rich. That's what I said. 

Nel. What do you mean, sir? 

Rich. Just what I said. 

Nel. Upon what do you base your opinion, pray ? 

Rich, Upon the very best foundation imaginable— he mentioned 
it to me in one of his business letters. I'll find it — it must be in my 
desk somewhere. [Looks for it. 

Net. A letter from Edward Jennison, in which As tells you that he 
expacts to marry Miss Wyckoff? Impossible, sir! 

Rich. [Aside.] How it cuts her. I'll give her another thrust. 
[Aloud.] He is considerably in debt and expects to relieve himself 
from embarrassment as soon as he gets his hands on Miss Wyckotf'.s 
money. 

Nel. Richard Jeffreys — 

Rich He was considerably taken aback to learn that my uncle 
left you none of his property. So he has hit upon this new plan of 
relieving himself from financial difficulties. Ah ! here's the letter. 
[Handing it to her,] You know his handwriting, I suppose. 

Nel. Yes, I know it well — and this is his. [Reads.] Oh! what 
words are these! 

Rich. [Aside.] I thought that letter would do it. [Aloud.] Now 
you see the difference between the mercenary passion ol Edward Jen- 
nison and the sincere afi'ection of Richard Jeffreys. 

Nel. [Excitedly.] What! no date? Richard Jeffreys, this letter 
is a forgery ! [Flings it down. 

Rich. [Aside.] Curse Miss Wyckoff 's stupidity. 

Nel. Edward Jennison never wrote that letter. No business man 
— much less a lawyer — would write so important a letter and omit 
the date. 

Rich. I assure you, Nellie, it is no forgery of mine. I received 
that letter in the way of business. 

Nel. [Contemptuously.] "Business!" Yes, if you call your con- 
temptible plotting with Miss Wyckoff ''business." I see it all now. 
I can understand why Miss Wyckoff wanted rae to give up Mr. Jen- 
nison. 

Rich. [Aside.] Damnation ! tvas she such a fool as that ? 

Nel. Do not have the effrontery to tell me that he owes you a 
debt. He owed your uncle nothing. Before his death you had not 
a cent you could call your own — much less any" indebtedness from 
Edward .lennison. 

Rich. [Aside.] It's her turn 1o thrust now. 

Nel. Nor is he so contemptible a creature as to marry any woman 
for her money and then take that money to pay his debts. You 
cannot comprehend true manhood, Richard JeflTreys, and you havfe 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 25 

mistaken your man. [Exit 

Mich. Wh-e-e-e-w ! Disappeared in a thuiider-gnst ! What a lit- 
tle vixen she is, really. 1 wouldn't take her for a wife, if I could 
have her jusi as well as not— and the prospects are that t shan't be 
troubled. How handsome she looked, though. And how she lashed 
rae. Yet there was something refreshing about it, I'd rather be 
cuffed by such a woman than caressed by Miss VVyckoff'. But isn't 
her faith in Jennison s^omething sublime ? It's a pity to spoil it — 
but I will. I'll find some blemish in his wonderful perfection. 
[Picks up letter.^ Coniound Mis-, Wyckotf for her stupid blunder. 
[Tearing letter.] If she had been blessed with one- tenth as much 
brains as Nellie has, we might have been successful. As it is, we 
are w^orse off than we were before. But we shall see. [Exit l. 



SCENE II. — Garden. Corner of Jeffreys' house seen l. 

Enter Nellie r. 

Nel. How much longer must I remain in this honse which has 
now become so hateful to me? Now that my poor father is able to 
be moved, his bewildered brain imagines this to be his daughter's 
house and he exclaims piteously against being driven from his Nel- 
ie's home. Yet 1 cannot remiin here longer as a dependant upon 
Richard's boiuity. What shall 1 do? I have no one to advise me 
now, but Edward. And shall I go to him ? Yes, yes, I will. I 
know he never wrote that letter. [Approaching house.] 'Twas from 
this window that the murderer escaped, after the commission of his 
horrid crime. Oh ! was it not cruel enough to murder the kind old 
man, without taking advantage of his strange delusion and making 
death doubly terrible to him? Mothinks I see him now, yielding 
to his fate, in the firm conviction that the Lord had forsaken him 
and had allowed the Iwil One to dr;ig his soul down, down into per- 
dition. [^Stor^s.] Ha ! what's that — half buried in the sand ? [Picks 
upknife.\ A knife ! and marked with the letter "H." God grant 
that this may prove a clue to the detection of the murderer. [Exit. 

Enter Pompey r., carrying in one hand a watering-pot, with the spout 
broken off, and holding a rooster by the legs, in the other hand. 

Pomp. Oh, deah ! wish I'd bin born in two volumes — like de Ski- 
amese twins. Den I mit*^ a done two tings to wunst an' bin a hap- 
py niggah. But I only cum wun at a time an' de udder fellah aint 
got along yit, so I'm de mos' misable niggah on dis vej-th. It's hard 
enufF, de Lord knows, fur me to do wun ting to a time — 'speshally 
if I don' feel disposed — but when de folks tola me to do two tings to 
wunst, I 'sider it's imposin' on dis niggah's good niture. Now dare's 
Miss Nellie, she tole me fur to take de waterin' pot an' sprinkle wa- 
ter all ober her sun-flowers, an' unvuns, an' dandeliums, an' beets 



26 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

an' hollyhocks, an' cabbiges — an' den Mrs. Hough, she tole me fur 
to ('ot3h de ole red rooster an' kill him fur dinnah. Den I got so 
mixed up dat I'll be doggoned if didn't run down de waterin' pot 
an' sprinkle de ole rooster all ober de posy bed. Golly! didn't he 
squawk. Well, de fact ob de hole business is, I aint had no cum- 
furt since ole Mr. Jeffreys died. De fust ting wat happened to wor- 
ry me was dat corner's inquest — thought dey n^bber would git troo 
wid it. It tooK three lawyers, six jurymen an' an ole bull head ob 
a Justis ob de Peeses a hole day to find out if de ole man was ded. 
Dat's wat cums ob studyin' law so much — it always makes a man 
slow to know anyting. Now I knowed it all de time — an' dat's de 
fus time I knowed wun niggah's hed am worf more'n ten white 
wuns. An den de lawyers tried to make me bleeve it wasn't de 
debble dat choked Mr. Jeffreys. Wasn't I dare? Didn't I see him 
— an' smell him ? Who in de debble was it, if it wasn't de debble? 
An' dat's de way it goes — trials, troubles an' tribulations fur dis 
niggah all de time. De only wav I has to cheer me is to warble 
some little upper-attic air — like dis wun : 

[Singing.^ De rooster am a purty bird, 

He libs on wums an' corn ; 
He wakes us in de mornin' up 
A blowin' on his horn. 

His legs am like two crooked sticks, 

His nose am built ob horn ; 
He hasn't got no teef at all 

To chaw de Ingin corn. 

He flies on top de chickin coop 

De country fur to view ; 
Den flops his wings an' sings his song — 

His cock-a-doodle-doo. 

He flies into de garden beds, 

An' scratches wid his toes ; 
An' when he finds an angle- wum 

He eats him wid his nose. 

But dis one here no more will eat 

De angle- <vums an' corn ; 
No more he'll wake dis niggah up 

Wid his bugle in de morn. 

Mrs. H. [Outside l.] Pompey-y-y. 

Pomp. {Imitating tone of voice.) What-y-y-y? 

Mrs. H. Caught that rooster yet ? 

Pomp. Yes-s-s-s, 

Mrs. H. Chopped his head off yet ? 

Pomp. Yes-s-s-s. 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSK OF JEFFREYS. 27 

Enter Mrs. HouGH. 

Mrs. H. There ! you've bin lyin' to rae. Don't I see his head on 
hitn yet ? 

Pomp. [Looking first at rooster and then at xvatering-pot.] Gosh! dat 
cums ob tryin' to do two tings to vvunst. I'll be dv)ggoned if I didn't 
chop de snout off' de ole waterin' pot. 

Mrs. H. (to rite bacK an' chop his head off". [Exit L. 

Pomp. Dare's nnffin like trouble to make a niggah's head swim. 

[Exit R. 



SC^^NE III. - Jkxkison's lawoffi.ce. Jennihon discovered seated at 
desk R. H. 

Jen. The jury rendered a verdict of death **ai the hands of some 
person unknown, which person was disguised as Satan " What else 
could they do? They liad only the testimony of Pompey, as to 
what transpired in the chamber on that fatal night, and he — poor 
simple fellow — jouldn't tell his story twice alike. No one else knew 
anything about the matter. Whoever is guilty of the murder, laid 
his plans shrewdly and has most successiuUy covered up his tracks. 
[ Rising and pacing slowly back and forth. ] He wa"> no stranger — that's 
certain, and I more than half believe that Richard could tell morn 
than he will. A lawyer should be the last man to suspect another 
of crin)e withoui any evidence, but 1 cannot help feeling that he was 
in some way concerned in his uncle'.s '"taking off," At any rate, I 
will keep a close watch upon him. 

Enter Miss Wyckoff l. 

Miss W. Good afternoon, Mr. Jennison. 

Jen. Good afternoon. Be seated, please. [They sit. 

Miss W. I just dropped in, ai I was passing, to see how my case 
is getting along. 

Jen I have received a letter from Messrs Quirk & Quibble, at- 
torneys for defendant, stating that they are willing to settle. 

Miss W. Indeed ! Well, I thought your shrewdness and ability 
would soon bring them to terms. 

Jen. [Aside.^ Kow for some soft soap. 

Miss W. I cannot expect to profit by the services of so able a law- 
yer without paying well for them. [Opening purse.'] Here are $50 
more for your services. 

Jen. Not now, Miss Wyckoff, thank you. Wait until the case is 
finally disposed of. 

Miss W. Just as you wish, Mr. Jennison, but I shall insist upon 
paying you well. [Rising.'] Good afternoon. [Exit L. 

Jen. That woman fondlv thinks her case one of the most difficult 



28 TMK LAHT OF THK HOIT8K OF JEFFREYS. 

that ever graced the calendar of the Circuit Court, when in fact it 
is as clear as the sunlight which streams through my office window. 
But that is a common delusion on the part of clients. It is seldom, 
however, that a lawyer tires of receiving pay, but if I am heartily 
sick and tired of anything in this world, it is that woman's purse — 
and soft soap. I really believe she would £;ive ma her whole for- 
tune — her own precious self included — if I should give her half a 
chance. 

Knter Nellik i.. 

Nel. Good afternoon, Edward. 

Jen. Why, good afternoon, Nellie. This is an agreeable surprise-. 

Nel. May I ask you a question, Edward ? 

Jen. Certainly you may — a dozen, if you wish. But be seated 
first, [They sit.] It isn't very often that I have a young lady for a 
client and J rather enjoy it. 

Nel. But you often have a rich one. 

Jen. Yes — 1 just had a severe attack of that complaint. The at- 
tacks are very regular. But you are forgetting your questiorj. 

Nel. Do not think me impudent, Edward, but— but — 

Jen. But what, Nellie ? 

Nel. Do you owe Richard Jeffreys anything? 

Jen. Not a cent. Why do you ask ? 

Nel. I will explain at another time. I have luoiv inqKniaiit bii-- 
iness now. [ Takes out knife. 

Jen. Well, if that's the way all young lady clienix come prepared, 
I'll steer clear of them. I hope you didn't com*- here with any 
malice aforethought. 

Nel. None whatever — unless it be toward the man who lost ihi:* 
knife. 

Jen. I do not understand you, Nellie. 

Nel. I found this knife, this morning, beneath the window from 
which the murderer escaped, t hope it mav prove a clue to th«? 
mystery. [Hands it to him. 

Jen. I hope it may. I see its handle is marked with the letter 
"H." May I keep it, Nellie? 

Nel. Certainly. 

Jen. In all tlie history of crime, 1 can recall no murder that was 
more skilfully planned than this. I have studied the case carefully 
and 1 trust that this knife will aid me in my further investigations. 

Nel. Have you any theory in regard to the murder ? 

Jen. Who was most benefited by the death of Mr. Jeffreys ? 

Nel. Why — Richardj I suppose — but — 

Jen. Exactly, keep that point in view. Now, the crime must 
have been committed by some one who was — 

(1) Familiar with Mr. Jeffreys' rooms; 

(2) Acquainted with his strange delusion ; 

(3) Cognizant of the fact that your father would be away that night. 
Richard had incurred many gambling debts and was sorely pre.ssed 



THE LAST OK THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 29 

for money. He was his nncle'? only heir. He has a wicked, mali- 
cious disposition. On the morning'belore the murder, 1 met him in 
the street, and when I declined to yield to him as a suitor for your 
hand, he told me he had a faculty uf clearinj; his patinvay before 
him. When he forebade my entmng his uncle's house again and J 
told him he had n(» right to do so, he remarked that he might have 
a right sooner than I expected. Add to all this, his indilierence, 
his refusal to contribute toward the reward offered and his deter- 
mined opposition to the employment of an experienced detective — 

Nel. [All excitement.^ Denounce the villain to the world ! 

Jen. Not yet, Nellie. These things are liardly legal proofs. 

Nel. You lawyers are always so slow I 

Jen. Kui sure, Nellie. Richard is shrewd— fertile in resources. 
He has wealth and influence and we must not even let him know 
that he is suspected, until we have a clear case. Then we can crush 
him at once with the full force of it. There is such a thing, too, as 
our being mistaken. 1 do not think it was Richards hand, howev- 
er, that strangled his uncle. He probably had an accomplice, and 
that accomplice is, doubtless, the owner of this knife. 

yel. But what shall 1 do? I cannot remain in that house anv 
longer — yet my poor father objects to our leaving. 

Jen. Why so '! 

Nel. He imagines that it is his Nellie's hou.se and he says he will 
not be driven from her hojoe. 

.Jen. What makes him think it is your house? 

Nel i cannot tell, tmless it is because we have lived there so long. 

Jen. Does he talk ot anything else ? 

Nel. I have heard him talk in a rambling way about a will, 

Jen. Indeed ! We n)ay discover something more than a murder- 
er, Nellie. 

Nd. Diiicover him and I hhall be satisfied. [Rises. 

Jen. \^Rising.~\ While you are reconciling your father to a remov- 
al, you may discover more. Come to me again on Thursday. Mean- 
while I will be on the alert. 

Nel. I will do so. Good afternoon. 

Jen. Good afternoon. [Showing her out.] The first clue, although 
it does not point directly to Richard. I will see that this knife is 
carefully secured. [I uts it in pocket.] And now for my afternoon's 
mail. [Exit l. 



aCEl^ElY.— Woods. 

Enter Pymaker E., tramping back, having a neiv tail on his coat, of a 
different color from the rest of it. 

Py. [Tripping and falling headlong,] "Slap, bang, here we are 
again !" [Getting up.] That twig rather upset my dignity — or what 



30 THE LAUT OF THE HOUSF: OF JEFFREYS. 

there is left of it, for 1 confess it's badly decayed. 1 think 1 may 
safely return to the village now. I've been engaged in the retaUiny 
business since I left here, [Showing coat-tail.'} and the marshal won't 
know me now. My conscience has troubled me continually since 
that evening in the woods. I ought to have returned at once to 
thwart the plans of those two villains, if possible. But I'll return 
now and do what I can to ferret them out. But first let me practice 
my new song a little more, before I present it to an appreciative 
audience. [Clears throat during prelude and sings : 

Through the forest shades I traiup, thinking, mother dear, of you. 

And the good and wholesome fare I once enjoyed ; 
And the tears they fill my eyes, spite of all that I can do, 

For my stomach seems a vast and boundless void. 

Tramp, tramp, tramp. I'm sadly marching, 

Look out, housewives. I advance ; 
And beneath ray ragged vest there's an "aching void" to fill 

With your meat, potatoes— cake and pie, perchance. 

[A bell is heard, in the distance. 

Hark! I hear the village bell** ringing for noon. I shall be late 
to dinner. [Exit L. 



SCENE V. — O' BhARtiEY^ii groggery ; nn oldbari^.H.; table and chairs 
R. H,; 1 L. E. leading to street; U. L. E. to kitrhen ; 1 K. E. to sit- 
ting-room ; U. K. E. to Hotaling's roo7/t. O'Hl.vkxey discovered 
behind counter drinking. 

Mich. Och ! but whishky'** a raoighty foine thing in the roight 
place. [Leaning on counter.'] Now, be the Howly Vargin, but it's 
moighty hard for an honesht boy loike me to arn a daycint livin'. 
.\ few wakes ago 1 sold my ould raither's lasht cow an' bot a slimall 
shtock o' whishky an' shtarted this jewil uv a bordin' house. The 
ould lady objicted at tirsht, but whin I tould her ye moight as well 
thry to raise pialies in yer hat as to run a daycint bordin' house 
widout whishky, she saw the force o' me argymint at once. [Mixes 
another drink,] It was milk ur whishky wid us thin, so we thot we'd 
shquaze along widout the milk an' — [Drinks.] Och ! but whishky's 
a moighty foine thing in the roight place. But now me shtock o' 
whishky's almosht gone. An' me ould niither kai>es a tazin' an' a 
tazin'for the pay for the cow,an'it's little pace o'moind she gives me 
whiniver she's around, till I gives her a dhrop o' whishky, an' that 
makes her furgit her ould cow. It makes her talk, too, but that's a 
wakeness uv her sex, [Drinks, 

Enter Mrs. O'Bi.arney 1 r. e, 

Mrs. O'JB. The top o' the mornin' till yez, Michel 
Mich. An' the Ix)ttom o' me tumbler. [Aside.] Now for the ould 
cow a^in. 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 31 

Mrs. O'B. Dhrinkin' agin', Michel, an* not ofFrin' your poor ouM 
mither a dhrop!— an' she a nadin' the pay for her cow- 

Mich. Tazin' agin, mither! Why can't* ye hould yer ould tung 
an' let a poor boy alone, till he can arn the n.oney to pay yez ? 

Mrs. O'B. Ooii! Michel, it's toinie I've bin a glvin' yez for foive 
long wakes, an" not u blissid cint have [ got for me wtiitin' ayther. 
An' it's a wishin' that I am that I had nie ould cow back agin, {Sob- 
bing.) She was the thwatest baste that iver whtraddled a pail. She 
niver shwitched her tail intil me face in all the tin long years I had 
her. {Sobs violently.) It makes the tears come intil my ould eyes iv- 
ery loime I think uv her — 

Mich. Oh, shtop yer blarney, mither I 

Mrs. OB. Och ! Michel, it's little Bridget OToole thot, whin she 
marrid Barne>' O' Blarney, ihat her ildest son would Iver ted his 
poor widdid mither to shtop her blarney — an' she a' nadin' the pay 
for her cow — m' him wid a hole dhrawer full o' mon>3y the hole 
blissid toime. 

Mich. Divila. cint uiv 1 got in the dhrawer. {Showing it.) See 
that now. But come, mither, let me fix yez up sumthin hot an' 
shtrong, afore ye go out into the shtratg this mornin'. 

Mrs. O'B. {With signs of satisfa'ition.) Arrah, me honey! it's 
many a lalk that I've had with ver poor ded father, a tellin' him 
that it was Michel, that'd be a cumfurt an' a blessin' to his poor 
mither in her ould age. But only a dhrop, Michel — on.y a dhrop. 

(Leawi over bar. 

Mich. ( Handing her liquor. \ Och I mither, but whishky's a moighty 
foine thing in the roight place. Ye loike it yersilf bstter'n milk. 

Mrs. O'B. Ach-h-h! Michel, don't tilk to me Uv' milk, whin I've 
a dhrop uv this afore me. Milk turns me shtomach loike wather. 

J^nier HoTALiNO, U. R. E., limping. 

Mich. An' ye concluded to git up, did ye ? It's a long wholle pas 
thrain toime ye've bin shlapin', Mr. Hotaling. Ye won't be afther 
lavin' us to-day, will ye ? 

Hot. {Sitting down by table.) Why in h — 1 didn't you wake me up 
in time for the train, you fool ? 

Mich. Indade, Mr, Hotaling, an' I shtuck me hed intil yer room 
a short toime ago, an' yer nose was singin' sicli a shwate lullaby in- 
til yer ears, that I hadn't the hart to waken yez at all, at all. 

Mrs. O'B. I guess I'll be afther makin' Mr. Hotaling's bed now. 

{Exit u. R. E. 

Hot. Well, I must stay here till night now, so fix me up some- 
thinjfc hot and strong, Michel. 

Mich. All roight — I'll go an' git sum hot wather. {Exit u. L. e., 
ivith pitcher. 

Hot. {Putting hands to head.) Will this cursed pain never cease ? 
My head will burst! All night long this steady throbbing of ray 
temples has tortured me, as if some fiend, with measured blows, were 
driving a wedge into my head, to cleave my skull, dash out my 



32 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFKEY8, 

brains and disclose my secret thoughts unto the world. And the 
old man's cry is ringing in my ears. Never, until they are deaf in 
death, will they cease to hear that cry. I must fly from this accurs- 
ed place. Had I not sprained ray ankle, when I leaped from the 
old man's window, I would have been far away from here, ere this. 

[HoTALiNa bows head on table. Enter a Boy, who posts up a notice 
of $300 Reward for the arrest of the thief who stole Miss Wyckoff's 
silver, marked ^ J. G. W" and exit 1 L. E. 

Enter Michel with pitcher. 

Mich. I'll soon have it ready for yez an' it'll do yez good. 
Hot. Hurry up. 

3Iich. I'm a comin', Mr. Hotaling. {Taking it to him.) Here it i.** 
shtarain' hot an' shtrong as Samson. 

[Michel sets the liquor on table and then goes up and reads notice of 
Hevjard, pointing as if spelling out each word. Hotaling sips liq- 
uor and then absent-mindedly takes spoon from pocket and stirs his 
drink. 

Hot. \_Aside.] Curse the luck ! I don't like to hang around here 
another day. 

Mich. [To himself] Three hundred dollars reward for the man 
that shtole Miss Wyckoff's silver, marked "J. G. VV." Kedad ! if 
1 could only git the reward, the poor divel that did the shtalin* 
moight go. [Turns and sees Hot\ling.] A shpoon ! I niver seen 
him have that afore. [Creeps up caiUiously and looks over his shoulder . 

Hot. [Aside.] Jeifreys thinks me many miles away from h*^re by 
this time. I've got the will yet and a d — d sight more money than 
he offered me. 

Mich. [Aside.] Fwat a purty shpoon ! Solid silver, too I Fwat'.n 
that he's a talkin' about now ? [Listens. 

Hot. [Aside ] $2,000 reward for the criminal, eh ? 

Mich. [Aside.] No, bedad 1 it's only $300, Howly Mowses! fwat's 
thim letters on that shpoon ?—**J. G. W."— an' "W" shtands for 
**Wyckolf." I'll hav him arreshted an' git the reward. [Goes to bar. 

Enter Pymaker 1 l. e. 

jFy. How are you, O' Blarney ? 

Mich. Foine, Mr. Pymaker, an' how's yersilf ? 

Py. As well as could be expected of a man that slept in a dry 
goods box. 

3Iich. An' didn't ye hav nuthin at all to kape yez warm ? 

Py. Not a drop. 

Mich. [Leading him down front.] Now, if ye'll tind me bar jist 
two minnits, whoile I shtep out, ye may hav all ye wants, 

Py. Agreed I [Goes behind bar. 

Mich. [Aside.] I'll go an' foind an officer, (Exit 1 l. e. 



THB LAST OF THE HOLi^K OF JEFFREYS. 3;^> 

Fy. All I want, eh ? That's wha: 1 call a ''phnt take." Til pro- 
ceed to take it. {Drinks and fills bottle. 

Hot. (Aside.) I wonder wiiere 1 lost that knife. If 1 dropped ii 
in the old man's chamber, it's all up with me, unless I get away 
Irom here, and that predy soon, [brinks liquor <md puts spoon into 
pocket. 

Enter MlCHEL. I L. E., v'ith an Offickk. 

xMich. [Pointiny.] That's him— that's him. 

Py. [Aside) My clerkship's o'er. [Exit 1 l. e., wifn bottle. 

[HoTALiNO rises and starts for his room. Officer stops him. {f- 
Blarney misses one bottle and chases Pymaker to the door. 

(Jff. fcjiop ! you are my prisoner. [Laying hand on shoulder. 

Hot. {Staggering back.) For what ? 

(J§. For robbing Miss Wyckoft's house on the ni^:ht of the lOtii. 

Hot. [Recovering composure.) Why am 1 charged with that? 

Off. You have part of the stolen property on your person now— 
a silver spoon marked "J. G. W." 

Hot. U this is what you mean, you are welcome to it. {Handing 
spoon.) 1 can easily accoimt for my possession of that spoon. 8o 
take me oft". yAside.) Curse ill 1 must put on a bold face, but I fear 
this will get me into still deeper trouble. [Exeunt 1 l. e. 

Mich. vVh-oo-oo-p ! yip ! ( Tossing up hat.) I'll git me reward, pav 
me ould mither fur her cow an' lay in a shiock o' whishky. An' 
now I'll take a dhrop to cilebrate me i?ood luck. [Drinks.) Och ! but 
whishky's — 

Enter Mrs. <)' Blarney, u. R. e., screaming. 

Mrs. O'B. Oh-h-h-()0-oo I Michel, Michel, sind fur the praste— 
sind fur the praste ! [Falls on floor. 

Mich. [Helping her into a chair.] Fwat in the divil's the matter 
wid yez, mither ? 

Mrs. O'B. Oh! Michel, 1 was jist a workin' in Mr. Hotaling's 
room— a shwapin' an' a dustin' by the big chimney over the ould 
foire-place — whin down fell the divil's hole shkin — harns, tail an' 
all — roight down be me fate. Oh, Michel, sind fur the praste ! 

Mich. Yer an ould fool, mither. Fwat d've shpose the divil'd 
lave his shkin in the ould chimney fur? I'll go an' see mesilf fwat 
it is that sheared yez. [Exit. 

Mrs, O'B. Oh, wurra, wurra, wurra, wurra, wurra. Little did 
Bridget O' Toole think, whin she marrid Barney O'Blarney, that the 
divil would iver cum intil her house to shkin himsilf— the dhirty 
baste that he is. 

Enter MiCHEL, with hair erect, dragging the disguise after him in the 

tongs . 



34 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

Mich. It's the divil's own shkin, mither. He must a cum afther 
Mr. Hotaling fur shtalin' Miss Wyckoff's silver an' got cot in the 
chimney an' left his shkin behoind him. [Holding it up. 

Mrs. O'B. Sind fur the praste, Michel— sind fur P'ather McTilli- 
gan! 

TABLEAU. 

END OF ACT III. 



A.CT IV, 



SCENE. I. — Jail. Hotaling r. h. and Pymaker l. h. discovered 
as prisoners. 

Py. Here I am, "locked up" and ready to "go to press," and I ex- 
pect the "press gang" after me any minute. Egad ! but I had a glo- 
rious, rip-roaring old jamboree, before the marslifil nabbed me. 
Drank more liquor than I've had before in six months, thnnks to 
O'Blarney's generosity. And now I must be dealt with "according 
to the statutes in such case made and provided." I haven't a cent 
to pay a tine with, so I am fearful that I may have to languisli in 
"durance vile" for some time to come. Then liow can I ferret out 
those two villains? "Ay, there's the rub— there's the respect that 
makes calamity of so long" an imprisonment. But there's the gen- 
tleman that occupied the cell next to mine last night, I'll address 
him. How are you, neighbor? 

Hot. So-so. I believe you're the latest arrival. How do yon 
like your quarters ? 

Py. Would like 'era better, if I could leave 'em sooner. \_Aside.'] 
I've heard that voice before. 

Hot. What you here for? 

Py. "Drunk and disorderly," I believe they term it. 

Hot. You'll get out soon, I suppose. 

Py, Would if I had the wherewithal to discharge my fine. [A»ide.'\ 
Where have I heard that voice before ? 

Hot. Perhaps I can help you. 

Py. Can you ? Well, I'm an eligible subject for a little brotherly 
kindness — I am, indeed. 

Hot. If you will do me a favor as soon as you are out, I'll furnish 
you the money to pay your fine, 

Py. \_Aside.'] That voice ! that form ! by Jove, I'm on the scent ! 

Hot. You hesitate. 

Py. Oh, no ! I was only thinking. What can I do ior you ? 



THK LAST OF THK HOl'SK OF JKFFRKY8. 35 

Hot 1 want you to carry a note to a friend of mine. 

Py. It's a bargain. 

Hot. [Writing on leaf of diary.] I wa« arrested yesterday, in 
O'Blarney's saloon, forburgJaiy, because I happened to have in ray 
possession a silver spoon, marked "J. G. VV." 

Py. [Aside.] "J. G. \V." eh? I see daylight ahead! It's Villain 
No. 1. 

Hot. Although I am innocent of the crime charged against me, 
very likely I shall have to stay here for some time 

Py. Yes ; .stolen property found on one's person is a very bad 
tiling. [Aside.] Glad I lost that spoon. 

Hot. I know it is — but I foimd the spoon in the woods one e»-en- 
ing, where I wupposed it had been lost by some picnic party. 

Py. [Aside.] A picnic party consisting of one— and an old soup 
bone. 

Hot. Although that is the fact, it may (rouble me some to prove 
it. 

Py. [Aside.] Wonder if 1 couldn't help Iiim. Guess I won't, 
thougii. [Aloud.) Yes, that might trouble you some, if you were 
alone at the time. 

Hot. No one was near. 

Py. (Aside.) That's all he knows about it — don'i think I'll enlight- 
en him just now. 

Hot. [Tearing out leaf.) Now I've written a note and I want it 
taken to Mr. Eichard Jeffreys and no one else. 

Py. [Aside.) Jeifreys ! That's where the murder was committed 
— $2,000 reward — perhaps I'll see Villain No. 2. 

Hot. Why do you hesitate so ? 

Py. I'm not hesitating — only thinking liow to do it. Bat what 
shall I call you ? We've never had the pleasure of an introduction. 

Hot. Hotaling — Jack Hotaling, Your name? 

Py. Pyraaker — Benjamin Franklin Pymaker — a devotee of the 
"art preservative of all arts." 

Hot. And a good judge of prime whiskey. 

Py. Which the same is more to the point, I admit. 

Hot. W^ell, here's, the note. (Giving it to him,) Now how much 
money will you need to pay your fine ? 

Py. [Aside, counting on fingers.] Now there's $5 for fine, $2 for 
board and $1 for incidentals — $8. [Aloud.] Well, I guess you'd bet- 
ter let me have $30. 

Hot. Here's the money. Now I shall depend upon you to deliv- 
er that note. 

Py, It shall be delivered, sir, just as soon as old Justice Puff ball 
pronounces me a free man once more. 

Enter Officer l. 

Off. Pymaker, this way. 

Py. Hello! there's the "press gang." [Striking an attitude.] Would 



36 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

you drag me before the ''minions of the law ?" 

Off, Don't worry — you'll be back soon enough. 

Py. Now don't be too sure of that. But say, old Handcuffs, I 
owe you an everlasting debt of gratiinde for locking me up here. 

Off An everlasting debt ? 

Py. Well — yes — did you ever know me to owe a debt that wasn't 
everlasting? But I've had a fine time in here — met an old friend — 

Off. Come now — no more words. [Exeunt l. 

Hot. If I can only let Jeffreys know where the will and the dis- 
guise are, before they are discovered, I may keep myself out of 
deeper trouble, while I work out of this. But I am afraid they'll 
search my room for the stolen silver and find them both. But I'll 
go back to my cell and lie down — I don't feel well this morning. 
Although it seems an age to me, 'twas but one brief week ago to- 
night that I — Oh, God ! 1 cannot speak it. [Exit r. 



SCENE U.—Street. 

Enter Pymaker l. 

Py. There, that spree is paid for, and now for business. I know 
it's violating a sacred confidence reposed in me to read this note, 
but I'm a detective now and not a letter carrier. So here goes. 
[Beading.) "Jeffreys: — You'll find that doc in my room — at 
O'Blarney's — beneath loose board in floor — under bed — and the 
masquerade in the chimney — secure them at once — I'm in lim- 
bo — Jack." D-o-c, doc. Now what does that mean ? D-o-c, doc. 
Doctor ? Have they been murdering some poor pill-peddler lor his 
saddle-bags, and hid the corpus under the floor? Doc.— doc — opo- 
deldoc — burdock — dry-dock — Modoc — doxology — oh ! perhaps he 
means "pub. doc." And then there's the "masquerade in the chim- 
ney," Rather close quarters for a suc^essiul masquerade, unless 
given by the chimney swallows, I know what he means by '*in lim- 
bo" — been there myself. That's the only intelligible sentence in 
the whole note — that's classic English. "Doc — masquerade in the 
chimney." I give it up. This detective business is rather too much 
for me and I'm getting badly muddled. Hello ! there's Mrs. O'Blar- 
ney coming. I'll buy an apple of her to make her good-natured and 
then see what I can get out of her. 

Enter Mrs. O'Blarney, r. h., with a basket of apples. 

Mrs. O'B. Good mornin', Mr. Pymaker. 

Py. Why, how do you do, Mrs. O' Blarney — you're looking re- 
markably fine to-day. 

Mrs, O'B. Faith an' that's jist wat Michel was a tellin' me whir* 
I shtarted out this mornin.' He tould me I looked as fresh an' 
bloomin' as the sunflowers in the back gardin. But it's tlie clothe:^ 



THE LAST OF THK HOTSK OF JKFFRKYrt. 37 

that Hoes it, Mr. Pymaker -me new gown aiv bunnit. 

Py. Well, how do yon sell apples ? 

Mrs. O'B. Pinny apaee — fnr as noice a/i apple as iver ye t^nyv. 

Py. NoAT that's too much. You ought to sell one and a hall lor 
a cent. 

Mrs. O'B. Thai's purty chape now, Mr. Pymaker, hut, j^eein' yer 
<'ne o' Michel's ould frind.s an' cu.shtomers, I'll do it. 

Py. All right— give roe a cent's worth. ^Offering cmt. 

Mrs. O'B. Ah-h, ye shpalpane, d'ye think I'm a goin' to shpiit 
one o' tliim purty apples ? By two (rints' worth. 

Py. That's more than I want. Let me have the tv^o whole ones 
and trust me for the hall. 

Mrs. O'B. Thrusht yez ? Indade an' I won't. The divil only 
knows whin ye'd have any money agin, How'd ye cum to have so 
much by yez this mornin'? 

Py. JStruck a big bonanza. Here's your two cents. 

Mrs. O'B. An' here's yer apples. 

Py. {Confidentially.) iSay, Mrs. O' Blarney, did yon ever have a 
boarder by the name of Hotaling? 

Mrs. O'B. Indade we did. an' Michel had him arreshted fur 
shtalin' Miss Wyckoft's shpoons. An' fwat d'ye shpose we found 
in the big chimney over the ould foire-place in his room '/ 

Py. Can't tell. What was it? 

Mrs. O'B. The ould divil's shkin — horn«, tail an' all. 

Py. (Aside.) By Jove! that's the ''masquerade in the chimney." 
(Aloud.) Did you find anything else? 

Mrs. O'B. An' wasn't tnat ennfl? It sheared me out o' me foive 
sinses. 

Py. Where's the skin now ? 

Mrs. O'B. Michel's got it. 

Py. Tell him to keep it till I come - 1 want to see it. Good 
morning. [Exit r. hurriedly. 

Mrs. O'B. Faith, an' he goes oil" loike a shky-rocKet. Well, I'll 
go home an' see wat Michel's a doin'. It's but a poor thrade I've 
bin a dhrivin' this mornin'. Havn't sould enuff" to by the salt fur 
me petaties. [Exit L. 



SCENh2 III. — Jennison's law office. Jf:nnison discovered sitting at 
desk R. H. 

Jen. No further developments relative to the murder. The only 
suspicious character hereabouts, whose name begins with *'H.," is 
Jack Hotaling. As the burglary took place on the same night as 
the murder, it is scarcely probable that he was concerned in both. 
However, I'll inquire of O'Blarney whether he has ever seen him 
have such a knife as this. 

Enter PoMPEY I.. 



38 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

lomp. Good mornin', Mr. Jennison. Miss Nellie sent me heah 
fur to tole you she am a comin' in a lew minnits fur to see you. 

Jen. Very well — sit down, Pompey. 

Pomp. Now I'se heah, Mister Jennison, T wants to ax your 'pin- 
yun 'bout a wery important question ob law, dat's a gwine to disturb 
de frendly relations at present existin' between me an' my brudder 
Cicero. You know my brudder ? 

Jen. No, Pompey, but I should be happy to form hia acquaint- 
ance. 

Pomp. [Jumping up.] Would you ? Pll go an' fotch him, 

Jen. Not now — go on with your case. 

Pomp. [Sitting down.] Well, ye see, I lent my brudder $10 las' 
fall, fur to help him by a cow. We made a solium 'greement dat I 
was to have de fust caff wal dat cow had, fur de intres' on my mun- 
ny You understand ? 

Jen. Perfectly. 

Pomp. Well, what d'ye spose dat ole cow did las' spring? 

Jen. Had a calf like a sensible cow. 

Pomp Dat ole fool cow up an' had two caffs, an' de question am, 
Which am de fust caff? We's bin 'sputin' ober it eber sense. 

Jen. [Laughing.] Why, Pompey, that's a question for the jury to 
determine. 

Pomp. Well, how'll de jury know nuffin 'bout, it 'lessdey have a 
lawyer fur to tole 'em ? 

Jen. ril think of your case. And now, Pompey, I want to aak 
you a question. What did you see the night Mr. Jeffreys was mur- 
dered ? 

Pomp. Oh, can't ye give a poor niggah a rest on dat subject ? 

Jen, No rest until I learn all about it. 

Pomp. [I^ooking nervously around.] I-I-I don' like to talk 'bout it 
heah. 

Jen. What are you afraid of? 

Pomp. My ole granfadder tole me dat de debble hangs round a 
lawyer's office mos' ob de time. 

Jen. Your old grandfather never studdied law and didn't know 
much about it. 

Pomp. No — he studdid gospel, an' dat's why he knows all 'bout it. 

Jen. Well, he never comes in the daytime — so tell me what you 
saw. 

Pomp. [Hesitatingly.] De debble, shuah. • 

Jen. What else? 

Pomp. His horns, an' hoofs, an' tail, 

Jen. Is that all ? 

Pomp. His tail wound round him sebenteen tiroes an' had a big 
speer bed on it. 

Jen. Tell me the whole story, Pompey, 

Pomp. De hole room was full o' brimstone smoke, an' it choked 
dis niggah mos' to def, an' I swoonded, an' den de debble nocked 
m*» down wid de pillah, an' tole me to shut my raouf. an' den he 



THE LAST OF THK HOl^SK OF JEFFRKYS. 89 

cum ati' sot down on de pillali, an' put it on dis niggah's head, an' 
jammed my face rite down on de floah an' sot dare while he choked 
Mr. Jeftreys, an' dat's all I know 'bout it. 

Enter Nellif L, 

Net. Good morning, Kdward. 

Jen. [Bising.'] Good morning, Nellie. 

Pomp. You don't cotch dis niggah in a lawyer's office agin. [Exit. 

Nel. Have you learned anything turther yet ? 

Jen. I have not — but be seated, 

Nel. Not now, I cannot stay long, I have determined to leave 
Mr. Jeffreys' house. P'ather has finally corsented, 

Jen. When do you leave ? 

Nel. To-morrow. I have remained there a week since Mr. Jeff- 
reys died, and I can endure it no longer. 

Jen. It is probably best — but where are you goin^; ? 

Nel. Anywhere to get out of that house. 

Jen. ^Taking her hand.] I wish you would let me provide you 
both with a home. Before Mr. Jeffreys' death yoi told me to wait, 
because you could not leave him then. Now he is gone and you 
have no home. What is there to prevent our marriage now, Nellie"/ 

Nel. Much as I love you, Edward, I could not consent to become 
your wife now and burden you with the care of my poor father. 

Jen. But you caimot take care of him. Strive as hard as you 
may, you cannot provide him such care as he needs. 

Nel. I will work night and day for him and deny myself every- 
thing, before he shall want such care. 

Jen. But you are a woman, Nellie, and you must expect no more 
than a woman's remuneration for your work. That will not enable 
you to care for him as well as my income would, even though ray 
practice is yet small. 

Nel. Do not urge me now. We have a little means to rely upon 
for the present, and there is still something coming to father from 
Mr. Jeffreys' estate. So we are not entirely destitute. 

Jen. I will not urge you now, as I am confident that the future 
has brighter days in store for you both. 

Nel. It looks a little dark now, but I am not discouraged. I must 
go now. Good morning. 

Jen. Good morning. [Exit Nellie l.] God bless her ! She is a 
brave girl, but she will have her courage sorely tried in caring for 
her poor stricken father. His needs will be many and her resources 
will be few. It is, indeed, a strange thing if Mr. Jeffreys — much as 
he thought of her father— did not make any provision for him, in 
any way. I cannot believe that he would be so thoughtless, when 
he expected to be taken away at any moment. 

Enter Miss Wyckoff l. 

Miss W. Good morning, Mr. Jennison. I thought I would just 



40 THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

run in and see how my case is progressing. 
Jen. \^Amde.'\ Confound her case. 

Miss W. Have you any iurther information to give me ? 
Jen, Nothing further. 

Enter Pymaker l. 

Py. Oh — ah — Miss Wyckoffl I believe. [Bowing low. 

Miss W. [Haughtily.^ Why do you speak to me, sir ? 

Py. I believe we have met before. [Another low bow. 

Miss W. Yes — I recognize you as the tramp that stole one of my 
spoons the other day. 

Py. [Bowing.] I had the honor, 1 believe. 

3Iiss W. And I more than half believe you are the thief that 
slole my silver last week. 

Py. [Bowing.] I had not the honor, Miss Wyckoff. 

Jen. Have you any business with me, sir ? 

Py. I have, if you are lawyer Jennison. 

Jen. I am. 

Miss W. If you wish lo entertain such company, I'll retire. 

Py. Thank you, Miss Wyckoff, you are quite considerate. [Bow- 
ing her out. 

Jen. Be seated, Mr. — 

Py. Pymaker— Benjamin Franklin ^y maker— genus, printer — 
species, tram p. [ They sit. 

Jen. Now, Mr. Pymaker, state your business. 

Py. First let me hand you this V. Then I may consider you my 
attorney. [Hands it. 

Jen. Thank you. Now proceed, 

Py. On the evening of the i)th I waj in the woods just south of 
the village. My meditations were interrupted by the separate en- 
trance of two men, whom I soon spotted as rascals I took refuge 
behind a rock, leaving behind me that spoon of Miss Wyckoff' s. 
Villain No. 1 found it and put it into his pocket. Villain No. 2 
then appeared and they entered into a confidential confab, which I 
could not hear, except by snatches, I was confident that they were 
planning miscliief, but, as I iiad just l>eei\ banished from the corpo- 
ration by the marshal, I did not deem it prudent to risk my pre- 
cious person back in the village to interfere with plans that I knf^w 
nothing about. So I tramped on. Here ends chapter one. 

Jen. Quite entertaining. Give us chapter two. 

Py. After tramping about the country a while, T felt conscience- 
smitten and determined to come back and find out what their devil- 
try was. No sooner had I arrived in the village than I learned of 
the murder and the robbery, both of which occurred on the very 
night after my forest adventure, I understand that a reward of 
$2,000 is offered in the first case and $300 in the other. 

Jen. You are right — go on, 

Py. Well, it's the $2,000 I'm alter — win't afford to work for a pal- 
try $300. 



THE l.AST Ol- THE HOUSE OF .1KFFREYS. 41 

Je7i. [Eagerly.'] Have you any due to the nuinlerer ? 

ly. J'ni on the track of a rascal and I'm going to make a ni'u-der- 
er of him if 1 can, because it's the most profitable just now. But 
you interrupt the continuity of my narrative. Having got on a big 
drunk yesterday, I was locked up. This morning I met a fellow 
prisoner by the name of Hotaling, At the very first his voice and 
form seemed strangely familiar, but when he spoke of finding a 
spoon in the woods one evening, marked "J. (t. \V.,'' I spotted him 
as VillaiTi No. 1, 

Jen. Do vou reallv think he had anv connection with the murder 
of Mr. Jeffreys? 

Py. That's just what I want you to help lue figure out. 

Jen. Perhaps 1 have a chie that connects him directly with thai 
atltiir. 

Py. Have you ? Then we can work together like a yoke of oxen 
on this job. But, remember, you are my attorney. 

Jen. Never fear — you shall have the reward, if we win it. Take 
back this bill, too. [Handing it.] 1 need no retainer to interest me 
in this case, and you need it to buy you a new coat. 

Py, Thank you — you are very kind. 

Jen. Now the question is, Who is the other villain? 

Py. Hold on a minute. This Hotaling wanted me to take a note 
to Mr. liichard Jefireys — 

Jen. Just as I mistrusted. They're the two villains. 

Py. Well, perhaps you know more about this case than 1 do ? 

Jen, Did you take tliat note ? 

Py. Of course I did, in hopes of getting a glimpse of Villain 
No. 2. 

Jen. Have you delivered it ? 

Py. No — I've got it here, but the more 1 read it the less 1 under- 
stand it. Here it is. [Handing it] This ends chapter two. The 
third chapter will contain the denouement, and must be the joint 
product of our two heads. 

Jen. This word **doc" is doubtless an abbreviation of the word 
"document," and I think I know to what it refers ; but this ''ma«que- 
rade in the chimney" puzzles me 

Py. That refers to the disguise worn by the murderer. 

Jen. Very likely. 

Py. It has already been discovered by Mrs. O' Blarney. 

Jen. [Bising.] Then I will go and secure those things at once. 
You had better deliver this note to Mr. Jeffreys and see if you can 
identify him as Villain No. 2, as you call him. We must work 
this ca.se up at once. [Exexmt l. 



42 THE LAST OF THE MOUSE OF JEFFREYvS. 

SCENE IV. — Bach room in Jeffreys' house. 

Enter Mrs. Hough, r. h., with a pan of potatoes . 

Mrs. H. Pompey. 

Pomp. [ Within L.] Dat's de name I goes by . 
Mrs. H. Bring me a chair an' knife. I'll pare my potatoes iiere, 
where it's cool. 

Enter Pompey with chair and knife. 

Pomp. Heah am de articles in question. 

Mrs. H. [Sitting r. h.] There now. I do wonder what's come 
over Richard now-a-days. He aint half as lively an' sociable as he 
used to be, an' he keeps himself shut up in his room, for all the 
world like an oyster in his shell. But I spose his uncle's death goes 
hard with him. Richard was a wild boy, but I guess he loved his 
poor old uncle after all, an' feels sorry now for the trouble he made 
him. 

Pomp. Praps he's 'fraid de debble's comin' after him sum nite, 
too. 

3Tr8. H. Now, Pompey, do you reelly believe you saw old Satan 
himself? 

Pomp. Didn't I swar to it on de inquest? D'ye spose I'd lie 'bout 
a solium ting like dat ? 'Pears to me you tink I'se a raitey big liar. 

Mrs. H. 1 thought you might a bin mistaken. 

Pomp. Mistaken ? Don' de debble go a hoofin it round de coun- 
try a lookin' fur surabody to chaw up ? An' didn't he raos' chaw 
me up dat nite ? 

Mrs. H. Well, Pompey, did you know Miss Nellie's going away 
to-morrow? I'm 'fraid this will be a lonseome old house when she's 
gone. 

Pomp. Miss Nellie gwine away ? Den dis niggah's gwine to pack 
his Sarytogy an' go too. \_A loud knock is heard C. E. 

Mrs. H. Go to the door, Pompey. 

Pomp. [Opening door.'] G'way frum heah, white trash \ We don' 
'low no tramps round heah, no how. 

Py. [Outside.'] 1 want to see Mr. Richard .Jeffreys. 

Mrs, H. [Starting up.] Go(xl Lord I 1 know that voice. It's the 
same tramp I s^ot the dog on last week. [Goes to door.] Go 'way, you 
ornery scamp, or I'll set the dog on you agin. 

Py. I tell you I must see Mr. Jeffreys. 

Enter Nellie l. 

Nel. Mrs. Hough — Pompey — what is all this disturbance a!x>ut ? 

Pomp. Dare's a doggoned ole white tramp out dare dat .says he 
wants to see Mr. Jeffreys. 

3Irs. H. The very same one I s<jt the dog on last week. 

Nel. Pompey, go and call Mr. Jeffreys. [Exit Pompey, To Py- 
maker.] ('oine in. sir, I have sent for Mr, Jeffreys, 

Enter Pymaker, 



THK LAST OK THK HOUSE OF JKFFKEYS. 48 

Py. Tliunk yuu, Miss. [Bowing respectfully,] I met an old ac- 
quatniance of his this morning and he sent a note lo him by me. 

Mrs. H. [Aside.'] A likely story I He came to see where Mr. 
Jeffreys keeps his money. 

Enter KicHAKi) and Pompey. 

Rich. Do you wish to see me, sir ? 

Py. Yes, sir. I met a man this raoining by the name of Hotal- 
ing, [Richard starts.] who requested uie to hand you this note. 

Rich. Follow me, sir. 

Py. [Aside.] Villain No. 2, as I'm a sinner! [Exeunt l. 

Mrs. H. It will be lonesome here, Nellie, when you and your 
fatlier are gobe. 1 wish J could go w:th you, you have always been 
so good to iiie. 

Pomp. Aint you gwine to take dis niggah 'long, too ? 

Nel. Jt is impossible, tiiough I am sorry to leave you, for you have 
both been very kiiid to me. But 1 am poor now, and I must be mv 
own housekeeper and my own servant. I must work and save to 
make my poor father comfortable. 

Mrs. H. Spoken like the noble girl you are, Nellie. It was a sad 
night's work that took Mr. Jeffreys from us, made a wreck of your 
poor old father at>' drove you both from this house, an' I know the 
Lords blessin' will never rest on this house again, until the villain 
that murdered Mr. Jeffreys is brought to justice. 1 wish I could do 
something for you, Nellie, an' your father, too, who always had a 
smile an' a itind word for me. But 1 will pray for you both. 

Pomp. [ Wiping eyes.] So will I, too. Miss Nellie — 'deed I will. 

Nel. God bless you boih. 

TABLE A U. 



KND OF ACT IV 



A.CT V. 



SCENE 1. -O'Blahney's place, as in Act III. Mks. O'BLAJiNEY 
and Michel seated at table with glasses of liquor before them.. 

Mrs. O'B. Fwat was it, Michel, Mr. Jennison tould yez about the 
divil's shkin an' the payper? 

Mich. Whin he took 'em, he sed Mr. Jeffreys would be loikely to 
cum afther 'em both, but not a wurd must we shpake till him about 
ayiher one — not fur the loife uv us. 

Mrs. O'B. It's divil a word will he git out o' Bridget O'Blarney 



44 THi: LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 

about 'em — tie dliirty tliatV that he is, a tlirvin' to .^htale Miss Nfl- 
lie's property. 

Enter Richakd, 1 l. k.. followed by Pymakek. 

Rich. Where's Jack Hot ling's room? 

Mich. In the cownty jale, Mr. Jeffreys — that's where he's a bord 
in' now, 

Py. \_Aside.'] Next door to mine. 

Rich. I mean the room he slept in here, yon blockliead. 

Mich. {Pointing.) That's it in there. (Richard goes in.) Kuni- 
mige aroun' all ye wants, but divil a soight'll ye git o' what yer af- 
ther. Cum, Mr Pymaker, an' take a dlirop wid us, whoile that fool 
hunts till his hart's contint. [They sit and sip liquor. 

Mrs. O'B. An' Mr. Hotaling didn't shtale Miss Wyckofl's shpoons 
afiher ail, xMr. Pymaker? 

Fy. Not a bit of it -he found the one he had in the woods. 

Mich Thin Pve lost me reward an' I can't p ly yez fur the cow 
at all, at all. 

Fy. Never mind, O' Blarney, you're entitled to a share of the otli- 
er reward. 

Mich. Indade an' thin I will pay yez, mil her. 

3Iss. O'B. 1 always knew ye would, Michel, fur she was a shwate 
baste. (Noise within.) Hear that blackguard a bumpin' aroun' in 
there now [Loud crash.) Oh, the dhirty baste ! he's broke me wash 
bowl an' pitcher. [Rushes in. Michel starts to follow. 

Fy. [Stopping him.) Hold on — let your mother fix him. There's 
blood in her eye. 

Mrs. G' B. [ Within.) Git out o' here, ye shtinkin' brute. [He runs 
in, followed by her with the broom.) If iver ye shtick yer bed intil that 
room agin, I'll larrup yer dhirty back till ther aint a hole bone left 
in yer ould shkiliton — moind that now. 

Rich. [To Michel.) Where's that paper Hotaling left in his 
room ? 

Mich. Indade an' I niver knew Mr. Hotaling iver had enny pay- 
per. Was it a Fray Fress, a Fosht, an Avenin' Nooze — 

Rich. It was a written paper, you fool. 

Mich. Faith an' I niver knew afore that they iver printed paypers 
in wroightin'. 

Rich. [Savagely.) Who's been in that room? 

Mich. Yersilf an' me ould mither. 

Rich. {Fiercely.) Who went in there before she did ? 

Mich. An' wasn't it yer own silf, Mr. Jeffreys? 

Rich. [Approaching him threateningly.) Look here, scoundrel, some 
one has been in that room and taken something out, 

Mrs. O'B. [Approaching him and Nourishing broom.) /wintinthat 
room, Mr. Jeffreys, an' took a dhirty blackguard out. 

Rich. Curse it ! I only waste time in parleying with these fools. 

[Exit 1 L. E. 

Fy. He's entirely welcome to all the information he got out of 



IHK l,A8r OP THE HOUSK OV JEFFKKYS. 45 

you, (J Blarney. 

JftcA. So he is, an' il ihe poor divil wasn't in throuble enuft" al- 
i-eudy, Michel O' Blarney's tw^o li.shts'd tache the loike's o' him bet- 
ler'n to call an honesht boy a schoundrel. 

Fy. Wed, I'll go and tind Mr. Jennison. {Exit 1 u e. 

Mrs. O'B. Cnm, Michel, we'll go an' git dinner now. 

[Exeunt 1 R. E. 

SCI'INE U. -StreeJ. 
Enter Jennison, Pymaker and Officer, l. h. 

Jen. [To Officer.] I want Hotaling brought down by three 
o'clock. My intention is ra confront Jeffreys with all the witnesses 
and proofs, at tne time of his arrest. My object is to show him that 
we are acquainted with all the deiails of his villainy, and that he 
has no chance of escape. The only safe way for us is to overwhelm 
him at once with the full force of our evidence. He is shrewd, fear- 
less and self-possessed. Give him but a moment to collect himself 
and his wealth and influence may enable him to lead us a weary 
chase before we bring him to justice. You had better put Hotaling 
in charge of some trusty deputy, so that you may be at liberty to go 
with me into Jeffreys' office. I may nee<l your assistance befoie the 
others come in. Do you understand mt fully? 

Off. I think J do, and I will see that all is done as you wi«h. 

Jen. Perhaps you had better have Hotaling brought from the jail 
in a close conveyance of some kind, so as to attract as little atten- 
tion as possible, I wish to keep the whole affair very quiet, until 
all IS accomplished. 

Off. Very well. 1 will go now and attend to it. [Erit R. 

Jen. 1 believe everything is arranged now. Mrs. O' Blarney and 
Michel understand all, I suppose? 

Py. Have no fears of them. That Michel is as shrewd a young 
Irishman as I ever met. It would have done your heart good to see 
how he stayed ofi' Jeflreys' inquiries about the will. 

Jen. You were there, then ? 

Py. Yes, I followed Jeffreys right down there. He pointed for 
O'Blarney's as soon as he read the note, cursing and swearing all 
the way. 

Jen. [Meditatiny.] Mr. Jefireys was murdered just one week ago 
to night, though it seems a month to me — so much has transpired 
within the interval. The first weekly return of the fatal day seems 
a fitting time for the unearthing of the villainy and the conviction 
ot the crin.inal. 

Py. Say, Mr. Jennison, just consult your watch and see if it isn't 
about dinner time. My time-piece (Patting hand on .stomach.) says 
it's somewhat past that interesting period. 

Jen. ( Tjooking at watch. ) Past two o'clock ! We can't stop for din- 
nt^r. 

Py. Not stop tor dinner ! That'll do for a man to say, who has 



46 THK i.AST OF THE HOISE OF JFFFliFA'S. 

been accustomed to stowing away three square tneals a day witl^ iin- 
flinching regularity, but with me it's another thini: al-lo-geiher. 
Lord Byron says : 

— AH human history attests, 
That happiness tor man — tlie hungry sinner! - 
Since Eve ate apples, much depends on dinner. 
So, in all your future practice, if you want a good-natured, ac- 
commodating witness, who will swear to tne line, let the truth strike 
where it will, look to it that he has a "fair round belly with good 
capon lined." 

Jen. Come, we'll step into the nearest restauiant, 

Py. (Aside.) How is that for "special pleading?" (Exeunt k. 



SCENE III. — Jeffreys' room as In Act I. Richard discovered in 
great excitement. 

Rich. Curse him for the mess he has made of it ! Why didn't 
he bring me tiiat will instead of letting his infernal greed run away 
with him ? Why did he make such a blundering fuol of himself as 
to leave the will where some prying eye has found it ? Why was 
he so senseless as to hang around her.', until the officers got their 
chuches upon him? Curse the luck ! and yet I may thank myself 
for it. If 1 had only done the work myself, I shou'dn't have had 
his miserable blunders ta h irass me now. But why do I stand here 
cursing and raving over thepas^.^ That catinot avail me — I must 
grapple sternly \\nx\\ the present iind determine at once what must 
be done. I am liable to be confronted with that will at any moment 
— but I will contest it to the bitter end, on the ground of insanity 
and undue influence. Nellie and her lover will have a fine time of 
getting it allowed. If I can't beat them in the long run, with all 
these resources at my command, tny name is not Richard Jeffreys. 
All is not lo^t, by ai^y means. But I must see what I can do to get 
Hotaling out of his scrape. Then he must leave this vicinity at 
once' or, by heavens ! I'll find some means of putting him out of my 
way forever, [A rap is heard l. h ] Come in. 

Enter Miss Wyokoff. 

Miss W. Good afternoon, Mr. Jeffreys. 

Rich. Good afternoon. Be seated. [They sit. 

Miss W. I came to see what success you had with that letter. 

Rich. None at all— she's too sharp for us both. Besides you made 
a blundering mess of that letter by omitting the date. Any fool 
ought to know that a lawyer wouldn't be as careless as that. 

Miss W. And yet you were not sharp enough to notice that 
omission when you read the letter. 

Rich. I was so pleased at your successful imitation of his hand- 
writing that I overlooked it. But it is too late now — she i« goin^ 



IHt: LAST OF THE HOl'JjE OF JKKFKKY5. 47 

to-morrow, bag and baggage, and I can't say I'm sorry, I've got 

enougli to do to manage my property without thinking of matri- 

monv. You'll have to manage your own case with Mr. Jennikon. 

Miss W. Well, if your grapes are sour, mine are not. '* 

Enter Jksjuisos and Officer l, the latter passing quietly behind 
Richard. 

Jiich, [Starting up.] Kdward Jenniaon, you here? Did J not 
warn you once never to set your foot inside of my house again ? 

Jen. 1 remember some such warning — but it was given' before the 
house was yours. 

Rich. More of vour cursed quibbling ? Then I repeal and con- 
firm it now, when the house is mine? 

Jen. I beg your pardon, Mr. Jeffreys, but the house is not yours 
now. 

Mich. What impudence is this ? Leave this house instantly or 1 
will have you kicked into the street, like the cur that you are." ' ' 

Jen. Allow me to escort you from the rcx)m, Miss Wyckoft'. 

Miss W. No, thank you, I will remain. " .^ '- 

Rich. Did you hear me ? Leave this house at once. 

Jen, r appear here, Mr. Jeffreys, as the attorney of Miss Nellie 
Halliday, who is the sole and lawful owner of these premises, by 
virtue of the last will and testament of Samuel Jeffreys, your undlfe. 

Rich. You lie ! he never made a will. * ' "^ 'Vi-k. 

Jen. 1 have it here, [Showing it.] duly executed — 

Rich. It is a forgery ! and your attempt to foist it upon the public 
Will not succeed. You thought to secure a portion of my uncle's 
wealth by marrying Nellie Halliday ; and now since he has hot 
left her a cent, you have adopted this plan of getting the whole. 
Edward Jennison, you are a bare-faced scoundrel. Leave this 
house or I will use force. [Rushes at Jennison. 

Off. [Seizing him.] You are my prisoner, sir. 

Rich. [Starling back] Foi what ? 

Off. Be patient a moment. and you will learn. 

Rich. Who is my accuser ? 

Jen. I am. First I accuse you of the theft and concealment of the 
lavSt will and testament of Samuel Jeffreys, late deceased. That 
will, which I now hold in my hand — with the exception of a legacy 
to be paid to you and another to George Halliday — vests the title of 
all the property of Samuel Jeffreys — both real and personal — in 
Miss Nellie Halliday. 

Miss W. Nellie Halliday the owner of all this property I 

Rich. I tell you no such will was ever made ! 

Jen. Richard Jeffreys, I also accuse yoii of the murder of your 
uncle, Samuel Jeffreys. 

Miss W. Murder ! — Richard Jeffreys ! 

Rich. [Furiously.] You lie! Your life shall answer for this insult I 

[Rushes savagely at J ennison. 

Off. [Forcing him back.] Be quiet ! Another such move and I'll 



48' THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFRETS. 

put the irons on you. 

Rich. \Wild with fury] He lie> ! lie cannot bring tlie proofs. 

Jen. That I may tell my story better, I'll confirm it with wilnesse-* 
and proofs. [Rings hell. 

Enter Mks. O'Blarxey and Michel with a bundle, Pymaker and 

FOMPKY, HoTALiNG handcuffed and in charge of an officer, 

and Nellie. 

Rich. Ls my hon.se to be filled with this rabble? Edward . J enni- 
son, you shall pay dearly for this. 

Je7i. Let me remind you that this is not your house. Here is the 
owner herself, to grant this rabble her permission to stay. 

Rich. You here, Hotaling ? 

Hot. Unfortunately I am. 

Jen. Yes, Richird Jeffrey rf, your companion in crime has been 
arrested for his complicity in that foul murder and now stands -n 
irons before you. 

Rich. [Aside.~\ I'll face it through — he's trying to frighten me 
into a confe.ssion. [Aloud.] Really, Mr Jennison, I'm getting 
deeply interested in your little farce. Play it through — but remem- 
ber my turn comes next— a tragedy instead of a comedy. 

Jen. On the night ot the 9th you met Jack Hotaling in the 
woods just south of the village, and then and there plotted the death 
of you uncle and the theft of the will. Mr. Pymaker was a wit- 
ness to that interview and he is now able to identify you b<th. 

Py. I can do that little thing gentlemen. 

Rich. [Aside.] Hell furies ! 

Jen. Just before your appearance Mr. Pyn aker dropped this 
silver spoon, [Showing it,] marked '^J. G. W.," which Hotaling 
picked up, and which was found upon his person when he was 
arrested for burglary, 

Hot. [To Pymaker.] And you knew this all the time? 

Py. Yes, I was the "picnic party" that lost the spoon — though 
ray rations were far from being of a picnic quality. 

Rich. And how did you come by that spoon, fellow ? 

Miss W. He stole it from my house one day when my cook was 
kind enough to give him a lunch in the kitchen — 

Py. And you were unkind enough to hustle me out unceremoni- 
ously, so I took the spoon in revenge. 

Rich. [Sneering.] Is it by the testimony of this thief that you 
expect to convict me of murder ? Goon, you have made a very 
line beginning indeed. . . 

Jen. This morning Mr Pymaker delivered you a note from Jack 
Hotaling, telling you where the will could be found — 

Rich. Did you read that note, scoundrel ? 

Py. I so far violated the confi(lence reposed in me, Mr. Jetireys. 

Rich. An honorable witness 3'ou have, indeed. A few more such 
admissions on his p.Trt will help your ca.se amazingly. 

i-y. This last admission has wiped out the effect of the other 



THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OK JEEEKEV8. 49 

concerning the theft of the spoon, for there's ''honor among thieves." 
Now my conduct in reading tliat note shows there's no honor in. me. 
Kiyo, I am not a thief. 

Rich. Your character and your logic are on a par. 

Jen. You took advantage of your uncle's strange delusion. At 
your instigation, .Jack Hotaling, disguised as Satan— a fitting dis- 
];uise for heinous a crime— strangled the poor old man in his bed. 

Rich. {Aside.} Curse him ! how he is hemming me in. 

Pomp. [To i^oTALIN(;.] An' was you dat ar debble? 

Hot. Silence! 

Pomp. Now I know you was — dat's jis wat de debble lole me dat 
ar nite. 

Rich. Keep your mouth shut, Hotaling. 

Jen. Y^esteniay mo):ning Mrs. O'Blarney found something in 
Hotaling's room, that is of considerable importance in this case. 
Let us see it, Michel. 

Mich. [Opening bundle.] Indade an' here it is, Mr. Jennison — the 
ould divil's shkin — harns, tail an' all. 

Rich. [Staggering hack.] Damnation ! 

Mm. O'B. The very same that I found in the ould chimney. 

Jen. One thing more. 

Rich. [Aside.] For God's sake what's coming next V 

Jen. This knife, marked on the handle with the letter *'H.," was 
found beneath the window from which Ho;aling leaped in his 
escape from the house. It is identified as one that Jack Hotaling 
told Michel O'Blarney liad been presented to him by a friend 

Mich. It's the very same knoife — I'd know it among tin thousand. 

Entei' M rs. Hough, l. h., in great agitation. 

Mrs. H. What do 1 hear? Richard Jeffreys murdered his poor 
old uncle ? — my Richard whom I have so often carried ir my arm?? 
1 will not believe it. [Going to him.] Richard, I know you have 
been wayward and wilful, but I cannot believe you are a murderer. 
Tell me it is not so. [Richard trims away.] He turns away. Oh 
God ! can it be true ? 

Nel. [Leading her away.] It is an awftd charge, Mrs. Hough, but 
we fear it is too true. 

Jen. Richard Jefl'reys, in view of all these circumstances, I again 
accuse of the murder of your uncle on the night ol the 10th of 
August. Officer, do your duty. [Officer sto?V.s to arrest him. 

Rich. Back, back I l Draws knife and ,^tabs himself.) Ha, ha, ha I 
Edward Jennison, you shall never triumph over me in a felon's cell. 
I shall soon be beyond your reach. (Falls into Officer's arms. 

Mr.<. H. { Kneeling by him and bending over him.) Oh, Richard! 
was it for this that I watched over you after your dying mother left 
you to my care? My heait is broken and my gray hairs will soon 
follow von to the grave. 

Rich. Nellie Halliday, take Edward Jennison for your husband. 
Lavish upon him th;it wealth which you so artfully induced my 



50 THE LAST OF TllK HOUSE OF JEFFBEYS. 

uncle to leave you. But remember, with every dollar of it goes a 
dying man's curse. You have won her, Edward Jennison, but 1 
fought you to the last— ' {Faints 

Mrs. H. Oh, my poor boy is dying! ( Wringing hands. 

Rich. [Struggling to his feet.) Die? Who said die ? I must not 
die unforgiven, with all this load of sin to drag me down — and yet 
— oh God ! — I'm growing <veaker — I cannot — {Sinks to floor and dies. 

Enter Halliday, c. e., coming down front. 

Nel. {Starting toward father.) Oh, father — 

[He passes down front to where Richard fies, with Mrs. Hough bend- 
ing over him, and stands c. . pointing at him. 

Hoi. Richard Jeffreys, thy crimes have found thee out. But one 
short week hast thou enjoved that wealth for which thou didst bar- 
ter thy soul. And now thou diest, adding self murder to thy long 
list of crimes. When the grave shall have received thy mortal 
frame, and thine immortal ^^pirit shall have returned, for judgment, 
unto him who gave it. then shall man inscribe upon thy tomb 

HERE LIES 

THE LAST OF THE HOUSE OF JEFFREYS. 
TABLEAU. 



THE END. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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